A suspension forced Saúl Ñíguez to miss Atlético Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Granada on November 23rd, the only fixture the midfielder has missed for his side in all competitions this season.
He’s clearly key to the club, but there’s rumours about a potential transfer several times a year.
Today’s edition of AS has a report on the 25-year-old titled ‘Manchester United insist on their interest in Saul’.
It’s claimed the Red Devils’ interest in the player hasn’t diminished since the summer and they’ll ‘insist’ on signing him in the winter market.
AS take claims from England from the last transfer market, saying Manchester United were then prepared to pay the player’s €150m clause, and that the club are now ready to spend big again.
Diego Simeone’s side wanted to offer him a new deal, but AS has been informed talks have stalled over a fresh contract.
Online, AS provide additional information as they state United’s interest in Saúl is ‘real and very strong’.
Simeone’s priority is to bring in a new striker in January and to do that, they first need to raise €80-90m.
Atlético’s preference is to sell Thomas Lemar to raise funds, but if the Frenchman doesn’t get any offers, the report claims the La Liga side could sell Saúl.
Saúl is one of the key figure at Atlético and his exit would be a big blow for Simeone.
What must be noted here is that Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with players at the Madrid club and more often than not it appears to be something conjured up between the Spanish and English media.