Is your holding midfielder getting old? Better call Saúl!
Manchester City are edging closer to agreeing a deal with Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez, according to several
reports.
It was
reported recently that Pep Guardiola had identified the Spaniard as his ideal long-term successor to Fernandinho, who turns 34 in May.
The 'number 6' role at the base of the midfield three in Guardiola's system requires a very complete skillset and there are fewer more well-rounded in the game than Saúl, who has played in every position bar right-back and up front for Atléti.
City are now on the verge of securing a deal that would see the 24-year-old join City in the summer. Barcelona also expressed interest in the midfielder, but City appear to have won this race after losing out to Barcelona in the race to sign Ajax wonder kid Frenkie De Jong this January.
Atléti are hopeful of getting somewhere in the region of €120m, ESPN claim that a fee of around €80m would probably be enough to get a deal over the line.
Speaking about the possibility of Saúl leaving, Chelsea striker Álvaro Morata, currently on loan at Atlético said: "The market is always like that. In every window big-name players are linked to top clubs.
"Saul is one of the best players in his position and he is also young. There's no doubt that anyone would be interested in having him. We are lucky to have him. I hope he stays because he is an asset to Atletico and he is a great person. We need him to stay."
Several big players could depart from Atlético this summer, after their premature exit from the Champions League to Juventus last week, once again at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo. It is understood that many players at the club are considering their futures and could push for a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer, most notably
Antoine Griezmann.
Griezmann is reportedly tempted by a move to Barcelona, having turned down the Catalan giants in the past. His release clause also drops from €200m to a much more affordable €120m on July 1, meaning there will be very little Atléti can do to prevent the forward leaving if Barça trigger the clause.
It's looking like a long summer is in stock for Atlético boss Diego Simeone, who will face a battle to keep this squad together.
