Manchester United are refusing to meet Atletico Madrid's valuation of Saul Niguez and are determined to get the Spanish giants to half their asking price.
Niguez is being viewed as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, with the World Cup winner expected to leave Manchester United in the summer.
The Old Trafford club have eyed up Niguez but the 25-year-old has six years left on his incredible nine-year deal at Atletico.
And that means they'd have to pay his release clause of £132m to sign him in the summer.
But United are only willing to go to £70m for the Spain international, according to reports from his homeland.
AS says United see Niguez as the ideal replacement for Pogba given he is approaching his peak years, and believe he would be a perfect fit for the Premier League.
But the Spanish publication claims the Red Devils are only willing to pay around half of the player's release clause given the current climate, with clubs still unsure of the full financial impact of the coronavirus crisis that has brought football to a halt.
AS also reports that Niguez is in talks with Atletico over improving his contract - so United and a host of other suitors will be keeping a close eye on any developments.
Saul's older brother Aaron previously spent time on loan at Rangers during Walter Smith's time at the club.
