Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez as the Reds step up their efforts in the transfer market.
What’s the story?
According to Spanish publication La Razon, the reigning La Liga champions have agreed to sell the 26-year-old to the Reds this summer after extensive talks.
Saul is believed to carry a £60 million price tag, although Atleti are reportedly willing to negotiate a lower fee, given they are open to letting him move to Merseyside.
Imagine him and Thiago
Jurgen Klopp is believed to be in the market for a new central-midfielder after Gini Wijnaldum moved to Paris Saint-Germain last month.
The Dutch international featured in all 38 Premier League games for Liverpool last season, so his departure has left a sizeable gap in the club’s engine room.
And after impressing in the Spanish capital in recent years, Saul has been outlined as a prime candidate to replace Wijnaldum at Anfield.
In 337 appearances for his boyhood club, the dynamic maestro has bagged 43 goals and provided 19 assists for the Rojiblancos, winning the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey crown along the way.
His impressive performances have caught the eye of several pundits in the past, including former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
“What a player. I’ve been harping on about Saul Niguez for a few years now. I think he’s a major player. He’s composed, calm, great left foot, lovely conductor, he can score goals, tactically he’s very aware,” said Ferdinand.
“You can see (Diego) Simeone, he gets his teams really well set up, and he’s in the middle orchestrating and dictating things.”
However, after missing out on a place in Luis Enrique’s squad for Euro 2020, Saul is keen to begin a new chapter in his career next season.
After making just 22 league starts throughout 2020/21, Saul is set to seek pastures new over the coming months, and he could be lining up alongside compatriot Thiago in the near future, providing a Spanish core to the site, one that possesses so many qualities.
Liverpool struggled in the recently concluded campaign, finishing in third place in the Premier League standings and a whopping 17 points behind champions Manchester City.
If the club’s director of football Michael Edwards wants to get the Reds firing again, then bringing in Saul would be a popular choice, and the club’s supporters will surely be urging him to get this deal over the line.
And, in other news…LFC handed transfer boost over “unplayable” 22 y/o dynamo, Klopp will be buzzing
