Jorge Mendes wants midfielder to make Premier League switch
Saul Niguez has been offered to Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United by super agent Jorge Mendes, despite the midfielder signing a new deal with Atletico Madrid.
The Spain Under-21 was impressive for Altetico last season, making 48 appearances, while providing nine goals and four assists, as they reached the Champions League final, before being defeated by local rivals Real Madrid.
However, despite the 21-year-old being settled at the Vicente Calderon, Mendes is keen for his client to move to England, despite Atletico having no intentions of letting Niguez leave, after proving a valuable asset to Diego Simeone’s squad, since return from his loan spell with Rayo Vallecano in 2013-14.
The new deal ties the midfielder down to the club until 2012 and is expected that a £68 million bid will be required, if either the Blues or United are to sign the Spaniard.
Mendes owns a 40% stake in the player, through his company, Quality Football, meaning a sale of the player will directly benefit himself, and the Portuguese agent doesn’t share the player’s enthusiasm to stay in the Spanish capital.
Niguez admitted his delight at signing a new deal with Atletico, saying: “I’m really happy to be able to continue defending this shirt.”
Not too surprisingly, considering his inexperience, negotiations with both Premier League clubs have proven tricky for Mendes, with the Red Devils keen to bring back academy graduate Paul Pogba, who has excelled in Serie A, for around £12 million more than what Atletico would demand for Niguez.
Atletico are also reluctant to part company with the player, as concerns they could lose their boss, Simeone, grow. The club have seen the likes of Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao all leave the club in the past five years.
Simeone, it is understood, would consider quitting the club, should Atletico sell more of their key players this summer. Although star man Antoine Griezmann signed a new deal with the club last month, following speculation he could be sold.
