Manchester United are interested in striking a deal to sign Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez, whose talks with Atlético Madrid over a new contract have hit an impasse.
Saúl still has a contract until 2026, but Atlético are keen to offer him an increased salary to ensure he remains happy and sees out that entire deal, and they have been working since the summer of 2019 to find an agreement.
When he first penned that deal in July 2017, he also agreed on a €150m release clause. Atlético were confident that no side would ever want to pay that, but given the way the transfer market has changed (thanks, Neymar), that's obviously not the case anymore.
They had hoped a pay rise would keep him happy, but according to Mundo Deportivo, talks have broken down. Saúl's representatives feel he deserves more money than Atlético have offered, and it is suggested that United could be ready to take advantage of the uncertainty.
The 25-year-old has found himself linked to United for years, with some rumours dating back as far as 2016. As recently as January, the Red Devils were thought to be monitoring him, and this contract uncertainty could be what springs them into life.
Manchester City are also named as potential suitors, while 'several' other clubs are said to have expressed an interest, but a move to United seems to be the most likely option.
Affording that €150m would be a little tough for United, who have plenty of other targets in mind. However, one way to raise the majority of that money would be to finally part ways with Paul Pogba.
According to The Sun, everyone involved wants to find Pogba a new home after years of uncertainty, and United are ready to drop their asking price to £100m to try and ensure he seals a move away.
Real Madrid and Juventus were both keen on recruiting Pogba last summer, but his £180m price tag made it nearly impossible. Back then, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was determined to keep the Frenchman around and convince him to sign a new contract, but that hasn't happened. Not yet, anyway.
Now, Solskjaer wants to steer the club into an ego-less future, and that means getting rid of Captain Ego himself.
With that £100m in their back pocket, finding a little extra money to trigger Saúl's release clause would not be much of a challenge for United.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
Source :
90min
