Manchester United target teases huge ‘new club’ announcement

Matt Stead
Saul Niguez Atletico Madrid

Saul Niguez has teased an announcement over a ‘new club’ amid reports of interest from Manchester United.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul has been identified as a player who ‘ticks all the right boxes’ to partner Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.

Paul Ince has advocated the £70m move for Saul, who still has six years left on his contract in the Spanish capital.


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Perhaps knowingly, the 25-year-old posted a tweet on Sunday afternoon alluding to an announcement that will be made in three days, under the caption of ‘NEW CLUB’.

That cryptic message has led many to believe United might have landed one of their main transfer targets, although a more likely explanation is that Saul will reveal a non-footballing venture and is merely using the speculation to drive interest.

The nature of his long-term deal and the £134m release clause contained within would make any negotiation eminently difficult, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic that has already had a significant impact on football finances.

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward already distanced the club from rumours of nine-figure moves last month.

“Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football and it may not be ‘business as usual’ for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market this summer,” he said.

“As ever our priority is the success of team, but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry, including timings of the transfer window, and the wider financial picture, before we can talk about a return to normality.

“On this basis, I cannot help feeling that speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions of pounds this summer seems to ignore the realities that face the sport.”