Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that he doesn’t think the Red Devils will be busy on the transfer front over the next few days, amid links to Chelsea target Saul Niguez.
The Blues have been rumoured to be considering a move for the Atletico Madrid midfielder over the past few days, with deadline day less than a week away. However, they apparently face stiff competition from United with both clubs said to be keen on striking a deal.
The 26-year-old looks highly likely to be departing the Wanda Metropolitano, but what remains unclear is his final destination.
Colleagues at football.london’s sister title the Manchester Evening News understand that the Reds making a move for Saul is unlikely, and that information has been backed up by Solskjaer, when asked for an assessment on further transfers after the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
In an interview with VGTV, the Norwegian said: “I don’t think much is going to happen. If something happens, it is a bonus. You never know what happens in the world of football.
"But we’ve had a very good window. I am happy with what we’ve done.”
The news that Manchester United are unlikely to secure Saul’s signature could come as a huge boost to Chelsea as they aim to tie up his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Should he arrive in west London, he would be competing with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount for a starting berth in the centre of the park.
Saul would also become Chelsea’s third arrival of the summer window following the signing of goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, as well as the club record transfer of Romelu Lukaku.
The Spaniard still has three years left to run on his most recent deal in Spain but has been touted for a loan move to Chelsea, with the club retaining an option to buy come the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
