Real Valladolid CF v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid celebrates after winning the league championship after the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on May 22, 2021 in Valladolid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors Valladolid Spain breton-realvall210522_npz2s PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged his former club to make a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez. Saul has come through the ranks at Atletico Madrid and has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the club.
On his Vibe with Five show, Ferdinand stated that Manchester United should try to sign Saul, who he thinks would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford.
The former England defender believes that the Red Devils could sign Saul for a fee of around £40 – £50 million this summer. The other alternative for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be West Ham United’s Declan Rice, Ferdinand opined.
Saul still has five years remaining on his current deal at the Spanish club having signed a nine-year contract in 2017. He has made 338 appearances for the club, scoring 43 goals and assisting 21 times.
Manchester United has made two big signings this summer, bringing in star defender Raphael Varane and the talented Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils have strength in depth all across the park, but midfield seems to be the only weak spot at the moment. There’s a huge question mark over the future of Paul Pogba, while Fred and Scott McTominay have been inconsistent and error-prone.
What manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs in the middle of the park is an experienced figure who is unafraid to move with the ball and link midfield with attack. Saul is an all-action midfielder who can move the ball from midfield, while also being superb defensively.
The Spaniard is decent in the air, winning 1.9 aerial balls, while also tenacious in his tackling, averaging 1.7 tackles per game last season in La Liga.
Saul is a creative player who can pick out passes, long and short, while also make runs in from deep in midfield. He can also chip in with a few goals from midfield.
The Spanish international would be a fantastic addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team and offer great balance in midfield. Saul has the aggression, speed, and technical ability to be a success in the Premier League.
Saul could line up beside either Fred or McTominay, and give more freedom to attacking players like Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is just 26 years of age, but has Champions League experience, which will be a great bonus to Solskjaer’s team.
The signing of Saul seems like a no-brain for the Manchester United manager and may be the last piece of the jigsaw.
Stats via Whoscored
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