Manchester United have identified Saul Niguez as a potential midfield replacement if Paul Pogba leaves for Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder has a €150million release clause and Spanish outlet AS, cited by Sport Witness claim United have already touched base with the player's representative over a possible move.
MEN Sport understands that United are prioritising transfers for Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes and Newcastle youngster Sean Longstaff and that they're adamant Pogba won't be sold in any case.
Atletico's stance is said to be similar over Saul, with the Spanish club reported to be adamant that he won't join Antoine Griezmann in leaving this summer.
Elsewhere, it has been claimed that Liverpool are still in the race to sign Fernandes. MEN Sport understand that United remain in hot pursuit of the 24-year-old and previous reports claimed that the Reds were the only club in the chase.
Portuguese news outlet A Bola, however, claim that Fernandes’ agent is set to meet Liverpool officials this week, though conflicting reports from Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the agent, Miguel Pinho, is in London to thrash out details of his proposed move to United.
A £45million fee has been touted for Fernandes and it is claimed he will earn around £5million per year at Old Trafford, with United keen on clinching two midfield signings in the remainder of the window.
The Reds fly out on their pre-season tour of Australia, China and Singapore on Sunday and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants at least one midfield signing on board to travel out with his squad for upcoming games against Perth Glory, Leeds, Tottenham and Inter Milan before the Reds head back to Europe.
