Manchester City are reportedly eyeing up a transfer swoop for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
According to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness, Pep Guardiola’s side is one of two Premier League teams supposedly interested in the Spaniard.
The Spanish report also named Manchester United as the other club linked with Niguez.
The midfielder is currently valued at a whopping £81 million according to Transfermarkt, making him the most valuable Spanish player right now (per Transfermarkt).
Would Saul Niguez be a good replacement for David Silva?
Yes
No
According to WhoScored, Niguez is currently Atletico’s highest performer so far this campaign with a current season rating of 7.23.
WhoScored also shows that the Spain international has played consistently well in numerous positions on the pitch such as central-midfield, left-midfield and right-midfield while managing to keep a rating above 7/10.
Niguez’s last goal for Diego Simeone’s side came in their Champions League last 16 first leg home time against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, where he helped his side secure a 1-0 victory, only to beat the English side once again at Anfield in the second leg.
The 25-year-old’s player attributes contain his defensive contributions, tackling, blocking the ball and his aerial duels (per WhoScored) and he’s also managed to produce three goals and five assists this season.
TIF Tactics – One in, one out?
With fellow Spanish midfielder David Silva set to leave City after 10 years at the Manchester club, perhaps Niguez could be on the club’s radar to be the one to take Silva’s place in the squad next season. However, with the club having signed yet another Spanish midfielder Rodri back in the previous summer transfer window and with Niguez being a defensive player, similar to Rodri, maybe this would be an unlikely purchase for the club.