Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Saul Niguez Rumours, Thomas Muller Latest

Reports are gathering pace that an approach for Atletico Madrid’s young midfielder Saul Niguez has been made by Manchester United.

According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils have “opened talks” with the 21-year-old, who is said to have a release clause of £18 million in his contract; it’s also noted Arsenal hold a longstanding interest in the midfielder.

As reported by Sport Witness, Spanish radio station Cadena Cope has claimed the Red Devils sent a “delegation” to Madrid in an attempt to push through a deal, with a sum of €20 million (£15 million) mooted.

Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague confirmed the interest from United, although he’s not expecting a deal to go through:

Saul is a combative, rounded midfield player who has been extremely impressive during his appearances for Atletico lately. Here’s what he could potentially offer the Red Devils:

At the moment, Atletico will be especially keen to keep hold of the versatile youngster. With veteran midfielder Tiago injured, Saul has a big role to play at the heart of their midfield.

Additionally, Diego Simeone’s side are top of La Liga, in the knockout stages of the Champions League and in the latter stages of the Copa del Rey too. They’ll need to keep a big squad intact.

As we can see here, despite being a defensive player in the main, Saul has recently added goals to his game too, per OptaJose:

United would be getting a brilliant prospect if they were to haul a deal over the line. Saul is adaptable and multifaceted, plus he seems to have the physicality required to play in the Premier League. However, his best position, at the heart of midfield, is an area in which the Red Devils are already very well stocked.

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Alongside the likes of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and Luke Shaw, Saul would bolster United’s exciting core of young players. But with so much still to play for this season at the Vicente Calderon, it’d be a big surprise to see any January deal come to fruition.

Thomas Muller Reveals Premier League Temptations

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Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has admitted there are temptations about the Premier League, but he is more than happy with his current employer.

“The environment [at Bayern], the infrastructure, the history and the culture in recent years are incentives that not every club, or every city, has to offer,” said the Germany international, per John Downes of the MailOnline. “Of course, England offers a lot at the moment, but Bayern does not have to hide.”

During the summer, Bild (h/t Matt Morlidge of the MailOnline) claimed the Red Devils had bid £60 million in an attempt to lure Muller to Old Trafford.

It was always a fanciful pursuit and any lingering hopes of landing the player seem to have been dashed for good after he recently signed a new contract with the German champions.

As Squawka Football noted recently, the Bayern man was one of the most dangerous attacking players in German football last year:

One day Muller may want to try his hand in English football, despite his obvious affinity with the Bavarian juggernauts. Few would have ever expected Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave the Allianz Arena, but as players get older, especially those who have already accomplished everything with a club, new challenges become appealing.

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At the moment, it’s easy to see why Muller is content with life, though. Bayern play a stunning style of football, are winning honours every season and he’s operating alongside some of the very best players in the game. The 26-year-old still clearly has plenty to accomplish with his boyhood club before branching out.