Liverpool have been urged to make a move to sign Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez, who is also a transfer target for Chelsea and Manchester United.
Speaking exclusively to the Empire of the Kop, former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has urged the club to sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid, if it is on a “loan-to-buy” deal. The 26-year-old is also a transfer target for Chelsea and Manchester United.
Saul is facing an uncertain future at Atletico Madrid following the signing of Rodrigo De Paul this summer. Liverpool had been linked heavily with a move for the Spanish international, along with Barcelona earlier this summer. However, things have since gone quiet, with Jurgen Klopp using Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harvey Elliott in the opening games in midfield.
Amidst this, there has been a surge in interest in Saul, with Chelsea making an official offer to loan the 26-year-old with an option to buy, while Manchester United have also made an enquiry.
And, Enrique has now claimed that if Saul is indeed available on a loan-to-buy type of deal, then Liverpool must go after him before the transfer window closes. “If it’s a loan with an option to buy (and not a compulsion to buy) it’s a no-brainer, that’s the reality,” the Spaniard said with regard to his compatriot.
“If he does well – I believe he’s a world-class player and he’d do well – you can buy him, and if not you can just have him for the season,” Enrique further added.
However, the ex-Liverpool full-back was also of the opinion that signing a new midfielder might not be a top priority for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp right now, as he has enough options at his disposal currently.
“In my opinion, I don’t think signing a new midfielder is a priority for [Jurgen] Klopp. We have Curtis [Jones], Harvey Elliott, [James] Milner, [Naby] Keita, [Jordan] Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; so you have six or seven players for three positions, so why would you sign a new No.8, even if he’s a better option than some of the players already available?” he said.
While it is true that Klopp has no shortage of options at the moment, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s past tryst with injuries does not entirely inspire confidence. Jordan Henderson has also had some fitness issues of late. Liverpool learned the hard way last season after missing their frontline defenders due to injuries. And, adding a quality player like Saul, should he be available, needs to be considered.
