Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly providing some stiff competition to Barcelona in the race to sign Saul Niguez this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, the race to sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window is heating up. Barcelona have already been hot on the trails of the 26-year-old Spanish midfielder for some time and are facing stiff competition from Liverpool and Manchester United in his pursuit.
Saul Niguez has experienced a sharp decline in stature at Atletico Madrid in the past year or so. A mainstay in midfield for the Colchoneros till the start of the 2020/21 season, the 26-year-old had to share game-time quite regularly in the season gone by. His stock did not just fall at the Wanda Metropolitano but also within the Spanish national squad.
Indeed, Saul missed the ticket for UEFA Euro 2020 and is now reportedly surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid as well. So, after featuring well over 300 times for Los Rojiblancos, it looks like the player might be set for a new challenge in his career, with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United all keen on signing him.
Barcelona are, in fact, the most recent entrants in the race to sign Saul, with recent reports claiming that the Spanish midfielder is keen on joining the Catalan giants. As per widespread suggestions, Saul was set to be a part of a part-exchange deal involving Antoine Griezmann, with the player a viable target as well for the Blaugrana amid uncertain futures being faced by Miralem Pjanic and Ilaix Moriba, who has been linked with Manchester United.
As for Liverpool, the Reds have been hot on the trails of the 26-year-old in recent weeks, with a bid being prepared already. The Merseyside outfit remain in the market for a long-term replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, with Saul one of several options to have emerged on Liverpool’s radar.
Finally, Manchester United are not a fresh suitor for Saul, having held a long-standing interest in the Atletico Madrid midfielder. The Red Devils’ interest in the Spaniard makes sense as well amid the latest speculation surrounding Paul Pogba and a potential summer exit. To that end, Saul is among the targets for United, who have been linked with several other midfielders as well.
As per Saul’s agent, a move to Barcelona is not set in stone, with the player having several options on the table if he chooses to leave Atletico Madrid. What now remains to be seen is if Liverpool or Manchester United usurp Barcelona in pursuit of the 26-year-old or if the Catalans end up securing his services at long last.
