MANCHESTER UNITED are lining up Atletico star Saul Niguez to be a club-record replacement for Paul Pogba, according to reports.
The Daily Star say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking at landing the 25-year-old midfielder in a £135million deal.
Old Trafford chiefs are thought to be planning for life after Pogba – who has been linked with a £100m move to Real Madrid.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be aiming to use the funds from the Pogba – who remains the club’s record buy at £89m – move to finance completing a deal for Saul.
Solskjaer’s scouts watched Niguez in action at Anfield earlier this month, when he helped Atletico knock Liverpool out of the Champions League.
He was given a glowing report of the former Copa del Rey winner and it is claimed that Solskjaer – who has also been linked with a move for Aaron Ramsey – thinks he has what it takes to be a huge success in the Premier League.
United are willing to meet the buy-out clause in Niguez’s nine-year deal at the Spanish side – and make him one of the highest-paid stars in the team.
Saul’s credentials speak for themselves and he has underlined his ability as not only one of the key players in Diego Simeone’s Atletico squad, but one of the most complete midfielders in the world.
He has won 19 caps for Spain since making his debut in 2016. He scored his first goal for his country in a 2-1 win over England at Wembley in 2018.
Solskjaer looks certain to mix up his midfield when football starts again after the coronavirus pandemic.
SunSport told you he has been planning a £160m double swoop for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish and Leicester playmaker James Maddison.
And Birmingham’s teenage sensation Jude Bellingham was pictured leaving United’s Carrington HQ earlier this month.
