Pursuant to his rebuilding plans for Manchester United, team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to attract high-profile talents that could the Red Devils spending more than £150 million to make the transfer happen. On the hiring scope of the Norwegian are Saul Niguez and Erling Braut Haaland.
This move by Solskjaer has been approved by the United hierarchy on account of the club's recent impressive performances against Tottenham and Manchester City.
According to the Standard, the hiring plan by United has the backing of club owners Glazer family, who supposedly was impressed with the turnaround engineered by Solskjaer in the past games. The latest vote of confidence was given following an earlier assurance from United executives that the club's rebuilding efforts have their support.
It would seem that to bring both Niguez and Haaland to Old Trafford, United will need to spend big, and the team manager has the go signal from the higher-ups.
"Solskjaer will be backed in a bid to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, while United are confident of signing Red Bull Salzburg hitman Haaland," the report indicated.
For the 19-year-old Haaland to start talking on a possible transfer deal, the price tag that United must pay is £17 million. However, it is likely that the amount could go higher as the Norwegian striker has been performing well in the current season.
In the case of Niguez, the release clause on his existing contract calls for payment of £135 million so the midfielder can be released from Atletico, where he is tied up until 2026.
Solskjaer getting a shot at Niguez will depend largely on the intention by Atletico to sell Thomas Lemar, and the proceeds will be used to fund the Spanish team's beefing up of its strike force lineup. According to Metro, this scenario will give an opportunity for United to possibly land Niguez and there will be no need to pay the full release price.
Should Atletico fail to secure a good deal on Lemar, then the club might just agree to send Niguez to Old Trafford at more reasonable pricing.
In any case, the Red Devils had the chance of landing the younger Niguez and likely at a lower cost. The Express reported that "as a 20-year-old he was offered to Manchester United and Manchester United said no."
The report quoted claims made by La Liga analyst Guillem Balague, who also said Niguez was presented before Everton at age 18, but the English club decided to pass off.
