Barcelona are reportedly the front-runners in pursuit of Saul Niguez, who is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Barcelona have jumped to the front of the queue in the race to sign Saul Niguez in the summer transfer window. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is also the subject of interest from Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Saul Niguez has, for years, been a key figure for Atletico Madrid, having made a spot in midfield his own for close to half a decade. 2020/21, though, saw his stock drop a little at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the 26-year-old becoming a rotation option for Diego Simeone.
The fall in stature at club level reflected on the international stage as well, with the Spaniard losing his place in the national squad this year. As a result, it has not really come as a surprise that Saul is keen on leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all hot on his trails.
Barcelona are looking to offload Miralem Pjanic after a horrific maiden campaign for the Bosnian at Camp Nou. In addition, Philippe Coutinho has been deemed surplus to requirements as well, while Ilaix Moriba is facing an uncertain future at the club amid a contract standoff with the Blaugrana.
Therefore, it is hardly surprising that Barcelona wish to sign Saul, who is also reportedly keen on joining the Catalan giants. As for Liverpool, they are in the market for a long-term replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who was once linked with Barcelona before he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
To that end, the Reds have been linked with a gamut of midfielders in the last few months, albeit without really getting close to securing the services of any of their targets. Saul, though, is a viable target for Liverpool, who are also battling Manchester United for his services.
Manchester United are in a precarious position over the future of Paul Pogba, who has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and is stalling on a renewal. Thus, it is imperative that the Red Devils remain on their toes in search of a replacement, with Saul an option worth considering.
Apart from Liverpool and Manchester United, Chelsea are also vying for the Spaniard’s signature, although it is Barcelona who are leading the race to sign the 26-year-old. In fact, the report stresses that any move for Saul could be independent of a potential part-exchange deal involving Antoine Griezmann, as was suggested earlier.
What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona table an acceptable offer for the Atletico Madrid midfielder or if Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea jump into action to usurp the Catalan outfit in pursuit of Saul Niguez.
