Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez is not a transfer target for Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola has claimed.
On Monday, El Chiringuito TV reported that the Premier League champions were set to trigger the €150 million release clause in Saul’s Atletico Madrid contract.
The Saul to Man City transfer rumour explained in five key points…
- Fernandinho has been ruled out of Man City’s final Champions League game vs Hoffenheim
- Pep Guardiola denied interest in Saul as a potential replacement
- The Atletico Madrid midfielder signed a nine-year contract in 2017
- Marca reported that a €150m release clause was included
- Man City missed out on both Fred and Jorginho as the search for Fernandinho cover continues
Guardiola was not in the best of spirits when speaking to reporters on Tuesday ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League tie with Hoffenheim, as he revealed that he currently only has 15 fit first team players to choose from.
But he was happy to speak about the reports linking his side with a move for Saul and claimed that, despite the Spaniard being “a fantastic player”, City are not interested in him.
“Man City have interest in 125 players in the last day so it is just one more,” said the City boss.
“Sometimes I read Pep Guardiola has interest in this player but I don’t know him.
“He is a fantastic player but we are not interested in him.
“He is an Atletico player and will stay there for a long time. But he is an exceptional player.”
Saul would become the most expensive ever player in the history of the Premier League if City were to trigger his release clause.
The midfielder penned a huge nine-year contract with his boyhood club in the summer of 2017, which is said to have included a €150 million release clause.
Is Saul really what Manchester City need?
Guardiola has made no secret of the fact that he would like to add an extra midfielder to his squad.
City are covered in most positions, but 33-year-old Fernandinho is their only natural holding midfield player as it stands.
The champions missed out on the signings of both Fred and Jorginho earlier this year and are also said to have been rejected by Lyon star Tanguy Ndombele.
Saul is a versatile player but would probably not consider himself as a natural no. 6. He has scored a lot of goals for club and country in recent years and thrives in the attacking areas.
We’re not sure there was anything ever in this link.
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