da stake casino： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
da bet7k： According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United are ready to swoop for Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez if Paul Pogba makes his long-awaited departure.
What’s the word?
Pogba’s future at Old Trafford was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the course of the summer, with the Frenchman even suggesting that he is open to a new challenge.
Reports had suggested the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus were being touted as possible destinations for the midfielder, but no move materialised before the end of the deadline. Now, Mundo Deportivo claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have lined up Atletico lynch-pin Saul as a potential replacement were Pogba to eventually leave the club.
The report adds (via Sport Witness), that he is “one of the favourites” to replace the France World Cup winner, and that whilst Ajax’s Donny van de Beek also features on their list of targets, it is Saul who is at the top of the list.
Fits United
In this revolution Solskjaer is trying to create at Old Trafford, one of the key tactical ideas that he has tried to impose is playing with intensity and winning the ball back as quickly as possible. For all of Pogba’s qualities, working hard and tracking back are perhaps not the characteristics you would most commonly associate with him.
But in Saul, the Red Devils would be getting a midfielder who pours his heart and soul into every game. This season in La Liga, the Spaniard has averaged an impressive 2.1 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game as per Whoscored. In contrast, Pogba has managed just 1.6 tackles and a measly 0.2 interceptions per game in the Premier League this campaign.
A real test for any fan: Can you name all of these obscure Man Utd signings?
Back in September 2018, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague declared that Saul could play the “Diego Simeone-style” and the “Barcelona-style” together, and that he has “got everything in one player”. If United do make a move for the midfielder, they will be getting someone who can easily step into the shoes of Pogba.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans are buzzing with interest in this midfielder who starred in the Champions League last season.