Manchester United are set to win the race to sign Jadon Sancho but Liverpool can crucially offer Saul Niguez something that the Old Trafford side cannot.
With England’s two most successful clubs set to go head to head for the Premier League title once again, the 2021 summer transfer window has taken on even greater importance and the Red Devils are set to make the score 1-1.
Liverpool beat United to Ibrahima Konate, embarrassing them in the process. Just as was the case with Virgil van Dijk and Southampton in 2018, United officials called Leipzig to enquire about his summer availability only to be told he had already agreed personal terms with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool Football Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. (Edit by Bleacher Report)
Now, with Sancho set to move to United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has levelled the score.
United beat Liverpool to Sancho
It’s not confirmed yet and we all know that anything can happen in football – PSG’s move to sign Georginio Wijnaldum at the 11th hour is proof of this.
That said, AS reports that United are ‘close to reaching [an] agreement’ with Dortmund on a fee to sign the 21-year-old and the expectation is that, with add-ons, it will cost in the region of £77.5million. They say it will be done in the next few hours.
Incredibly, he will reportedly earn £350,000/week which is almost double what Mo Salah earns at Anfield which is the main reason why Liverpool did not challenge for his signature despite our sources suggesting he was open to working with Jurgen Klopp.
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 13: Jude Bellingham (L) and Jadon Sancho (R) of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after the DFB Cup final match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Olympic Stadium on May 13, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
While it’s disappointing to see Klopp forced to bow out of a deal to sign Sancho because of money, it’s the right decision due to the irreparable damage it would do to the club’s wage structure.
That, and…
…Liverpool can beat United to Saul signing
Both clubs are in the market for a new central midfielder and both are also mentioned as being interested in signing Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid.
At first glance, neither side stands a chance of signing a player that is under contract until 2026 with a €150m (£129m) release clause but a report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Atletico Madrid are now happy to sell him for around €80m (£69m).
That’s a huge sum of money but if Liverpool were prepared to spend £27m on Thiago at 30 years of age, it makes sense to sign someone five years his younger for just over double the fee.
Especially if sporting director Michael Edwards can negotiate a payment structure similar to the one he did with Bayern.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – AUGUST 13: Saul Niguez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between RB Leipzig and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 13, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Julian Finney – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Saul is a tremendous player and would add huge quality to the Reds’ midfield. Signing him would mean Jurgen Klopp could rotate between him, Fabinho, Henderson, and Thiago and wouldn’t sacrifice on quality.
Crucially, Mundo Deportivo says that Saul will only consider joining a club with “a very interesting project” which makes Klopp’s Liverpool favourites, for me.
I am biased but the German is the better manager when compared to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has an established squad of winners.
He was utterly world-class against Liverpool in the Champions League when Atleti knocked them out at Anfield and while he is not a flashy player and isn’t someone that is going to dribble past two or three players, he is perfect for the Reds’ midfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Gini Wijnaldum of Liverpool and Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Given that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are tasked with flying forward so to create for the front three, signing a player like Saul, who is quite happy to mop up counter attacks and give the ball to more gifted players like Thiago or Salah, would further improve the Reds.
With Virgil van Dijk back from injury and Ibrahima Konate set for his debut season in Red, adding Saul to the mix will solidify Liverpool’s credentials as Premier League title contenders.
