LIVERPOOL are reportedly in pole position to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez as they line up a £35million offer.
The 26-year-old, who still has five years left to run on his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano, could be set to depart Spain this summer.
It is understood that despite winning the LaLiga title, Atletico need to sell players due to financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
And according to AS, Diego Simeone’s side are prepared to part ways with Saul, where they are looking for at least £35m.
They claim that the Reds are willing to fork out that fee with Jurgen Klopp desperate to replace Georginio Wijnaldum after the Dutchman departed on a free transfer.
It has been claimed that the Merseyside outfit are leading the race to prise the two-time Europa League winner away from Atletico.
Manchester United are known to be long-term admirers of Saul and could look to press ahead with a move should Paul Pogba depart Old Trafford.
Meanwhile it has been suggested that Chelsea are interested in the player with Thomas Tuchel believed to be in the market for a new midfielder.
AS have also declared that Bayer Munich made an approach to sign Saul earlier this year.
But he made it clear he would only depart Atletico for a Premier League side as he thinks his style would suit English football.
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Saul started in just 22 top-flight games during the 2020-21 campaign, with Koke, Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar all preferred instead.
And with Argentina ace Rodrigo de Paul to link up with the squad after the Copa America, Saul’s game time could be limited next term should he decide to stay.
But after being left out of Luis Enrique’s Spain Euro 2020 squad, he could be forced into leaving to boost his chances of playing in the World Cup next year.
