Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has been a transfer target for Manchester United for a number of years and he could finally make the move to Old Trafford


Manchester United are reportedly nearing a deal to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, with the financial impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forcing the La Liga side to cut their asking price.
Niguez has long been of interest to the Red Devils and Daily Star Sport understands that a deal for the Spaniard to replace him is closer than ever.
United are planning for life without Paul Pogba and view Niguez as an ideal replacement.
Now, Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes are reporting that the deal is 'practically closed', with COVID-19 forcing Atletico to accept a bid lower than the player's release clause.
Niguez has a €150m (£132m) release clause in his current deal, which is not due to expire until the summer of 2026, but they are said to have been forced to agree a much lower price of €80m (£70m).
United legend Rio Ferdinand recently gave his verdict on the potential signing of Niguez, saying: "He’s another one, what a player. I’ve been harping on about Saul Niguez for a few years now.



Atletico Madrid may be forced to accept a lower fee because of the financial impact of coronavirus


"I think he’s a major player. Composed, calm, great left foot, lovely conductor, he can score goals, tactically he’s very aware. You can see Simeone, he gets his teams really well set up and he’s in the middle orchestrating and dictating things.
"Saul Niguez is huge and it’s come out in the papers this week that Man Utd are interested in him, but we’ll have to wait and see. Man Utd are linked to everyone."
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also claimed that the summer transfer window will be "completely different" because of the pandemic.
"This uncertainty in the market now, who knows how football and the market is going to be, but I'm very happy with the squad I've got," he said. "Today's world is different to what it was two months ago.
“We've got to adjust, adapt, there's clubs out there struggling more than us financially. It's a new world, and I think the transfer market this summer will be completely different to what anyone thought it would be.”