CHELSEA are reportedly ready to rival Manchester United in the chase for Saul Niguez as Atletico Madrid lower their asking price to £68million.
The Premier League pair are joined by PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich in tracking the highly rated midfielder.
Niguez was a major part of Atletico’s LaLiga winning team playing across the midfield and ending the season with 41 appearances.
Despite his versatility, the Spaniard, 26, is recognised as one of the best deep-lying defensive midfielders.
He is highly rated at Atletico, but due to financial strains amid the coronavirus pandemic, they are open to selling him.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Niguez has release clause of £130m with his contract expiring in 2016.
But Atletico will listen to offers of around £68m and Juventus are said to be the most interested.
United have long been tracking the player, but already have plenty of options in midfield, which left last summer’s signing Donny van de Beek, 24, mostly benched.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who guided the Blues to the Champions League trophy, is thought to be in the market for a midfielder.
Eyeing a new partner for N’Golo Kante, West Ham’s Declan Rice, 22, is also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
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But Niguez offers more experience and the versatility which suits Tuchel’s often rotating squad.
Chelsea are, however, also in a bidding war with PSG for Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi, 22.
And with a star striker also on their wish list, it leaves them needing a big budget to also compete for the signing of Niguez.
