Liverpool are hoping to strike a deal for Saul Niguez as they gear up to meet Atletico Madrid’s demands by offering £41 million.
According to AS, as relayed by Rousing The Kop, Liverpool are closing in on reaching an agreement with Atletico Madrid over Saul Niguez. The Reds were rebuffed in their early attempts to sign the midfielder, but it appears their fresh bid of around £41 million will be enough to appease the Spanish giants.
Elche-born Saul is expected to leave Wanda Metropolitano this summer after falling out of favour in the last season. He has had a significant dip in his performances and fitness, thus allowing the likes of Marcos Llorente, Thomas Lemar and Yannick Carrasco to move ahead of him in the pecking order.
As a result, Atletico Madrid are prepared to cash in on him this summer in an attempt to inject some much-needed financial boost. They are eyeing replacements, too, with Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech reportedly identified as one of the potential targets for coach Diego Simeone.
Atletico Madrid were earlier hoping to secure the services of Jordan Henderson as part of the deal to sell Saul this summer. It was an ambitious ask from Los Colchoneros, but it appears Liverpool are more interested in meeting their demands rather than giving up one of their most important players.
The Reds have already lost one key midfielder in the shape of Georginio Wijnaldum. It has left Jurgen Klopp desperate to sign a new central midfielder, with Saul fitting the bill due to his skill, versatility and experience at the highest level of football.
Indeed, the Spanish international has almost 350 competitive appearances for Atletico Madrid to his name while also winning 19 caps for La Roja. He is one of the ideal specimens of Simeone’s aggressive style of play that tunes in pretty well with Klopp’s Gegenpressing system at Anfield.
Not everyone will be happy with Liverpool’s positive strides in the pursuit of Saul Niguez, though. Manchester United, for one, were linked with a sensational double swoop for the Spaniard and his Atletico Madrid teammate Kieran Trippier.
But it appears their arch-rivals may have taken the lead as they can offer the midfielder guaranteed game-time and consistent sporting success, having recently won the Premier League and the Champions League.
