Super agent Jorge Mendes is trying to bring Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez to Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea both reportedly interested in the Spaniard.
The 21-year-old had been ever-present for Diego Simeone’s side last season. He made 31 league appearances for the Rojiblancos and scored four goals with a further two assists in La Liga. His wonder goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League helped Atletico beat the German giants 1-0 in the first leg at Vicente Calderon.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with the player for a while. Back in May, reports in English press claimed that Jose Mourinho would be lining up a £54m move for the Atletico midfielder in the summer.
Saul has recently agreed to a new contract that will keep him on a £80k-per-week wage, which runs until the summer of 2021. The new deal saw his release clause increased from €45m to €80m.
The Spaniard is key to Atletico’s plans and the club sees him as a player for the future. Put it simply, they have no intentions to sell him. But such is the modern day football, each player has a price and there is always some club who is willing to pay that.
Mendes holds 40% of his economic rights through an investment fund and he believes top Premier League clubs will be more than willing to meet his €80m release clause.
According to a report from Sport, the investment fund not only maintained their economic rights this summer but claimed a compensation after Saul had agreed to a new deal, as they wanted to sell the player at his previous release clause, i.e €45m.
The investment firm finally accepted the €80m release clause with a commitment to negotiate if Atletico gets a good deal for Saul. The player is settled in Spain and wants to win trophies with Atletico. He is prepared to wait, but probably Mendes is losing his patience. He is trying / has tried to take his client to either Manchester United or Chelsea but so far hasn’t been successful with his attempts.
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