sport news Atletico Madrid could sell Saul Niguez for £80m after clashes with Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid could sell Saul Niguez for £80m after clashes with Diego Simeone… but the Spaniard compared to Bryan Robson appears a better fit for Manchester United than City Saul Niguez appeared destined to spend his whole career at Atletico Madrid The midfielder has been compared to both Bryan Robson and Steven Gerrard  Diego Simeone has used Saul in a more defensive role which does not suit him Saul, who has a confidence bordering on arrogance, has clashed with his boss Atletico may consider selling him for much less than his £130m buy-out clause 

By Pete Jenson for MailOnline

Published: 10:32 GMT, 21 March 2019 | Updated: 10:46 GMT, 21 March 2019

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There has always been something of the Bryan Robson about Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez and that is perhaps one of the reasons that those closest to the player believe if he were to end up in the Premier League next season, Manchester United would be his destination.

The similarities with the United and England legend were first made around the time Sir Alex Ferguson's brother and scout, Martin Ferguson, was watching the developments of the then 18-year-old Saul, who went out on loan from Atletico Madrid to Rayo Vallecano.

He played right across the midfield for the Madrid minnows and even ended up as a very convincing centre back. 

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez could be on his way to the Premier League this summer

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez could be on his way to the Premier League this summer

Saul has been linked with Manchester City but a move to United may be more realistic

Saul has been linked with Manchester City but a move to United may be more realistic

It was impressive for one so young and he remained on United's radar for as long as it took Atletico Madrid to realise he was one they absolutely could not let slip away.

He has subsequently been fed a string of new contracts and in 2017 he signed until 2026 with a £130million buy-out clause.

He became one of the cornerstones of Diego Simeone's team and emerged as one of the fresh faces of the new Spain team under Luis Enrique.

For those who find the Robson comparison a little dated, Spain's top national team commentator, Joaquin Maroto, went with a different English midfield legend when he wrote last Semptember: 'He is what the English call "box-to-box". 

'He has that great physical presence in midfield, he covers so much ground, he can arrive in the area to score and he can sweep up at the other end of the pitch. What Gerrard was for Liverpool and England, Saul can be for Spain.'

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