Manchester United Could Replace Star Demanding $692K-A-Week With Atletico's Saul Niguez: Report

Manchester United are reportedly planning to sign Atletico Madrid captain Saul Niguez as a replacement for Paul Pogba ahead of the summer market.

Pogba’s future at Old Trafford is still uncertain as he has demanded around $692,000-a-week to sign a new deal with Manchester United, the soccer website Teamtalk reported. Pogba, who is contracted with the club until 2022, has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

Earlier it was reported Juventus could use Paulo Dybala in a swap deal to reunite with Pogba, who was part of the Turin club between 2012 and 2016. It is believed, along with Juventus, Pogba is also being chased by other top European clubs such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Apart from Pogba, Nemanja Matic is also expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, according to the Teamtalk report. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be soon looking for a central midfielder at the upcoming transfer window and Atletico’s Niguez is believed to be on his target list.

With Manchester United set to return to the Champions League next season, Solskjaer wants to boost his side with an additional midfielder and a solid No. 9. It is understood that Niguez, who is contracted with Atletico until 2026, has a release clause of around $60 million, which Manchester United are ready to pay. The report has further revealed Manchester United will have to battle against FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race to sign the 26-year-old Niguez.

It is believed Niguez, who is a product of Atletico Madrid’s youth set up, is keen on moving to the Premier League. The current La Liga leaders have been majorly hit financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The club is preparing to sell two of its top stars and Niguez is one of them, as per the Teamtalk report.

While Atletico Madrid are three points clear at the top of the La Liga table, Manchester United are eight points behind Premier League leaders City in the ongoing campaign.