Manchester United to launch £15m January bid for Atletico Madrid second-top scorer Saul Niguez

Manchester United are interested in securing the services of Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez during the current transfer window, according to Cadena Cope. The Spanish radio station claims that the the Premier League giants are ready to launch a bid of around €20m (£15m, $21.8m) to lure the midfielder to Old Trafford. However, the deal may go nowhere, as manager Diego Simeone is reluctant to let Niguez leave the La Liga leaders.

The Spanish under 21 international has been linked with a move to the Premier League since his impressive 2014-2014 campaign on loan at Rayo Vallecano. Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United themselves were then said to be monitoring the situation, but Simeone instead recalled him to the Atletico Madrid first team.

The rumours about a potential move to English football re-emerged last season after he struggled to secure regular time at the Vicente Calderon. However, the 21-year-old midfielder put an end to those speculations in May by signing a new deal to commit his future to the La Liga giants until 2020.

Cadena Cope has cast doubt on his future though, revealing that United are very interested in securing the player's services during the current mercato.

The Spanish radio station says United do want him as soon as possible, but are prepared to wait until the summer should Atletico refuse to negotiate his departure.

Niguez has become a crucial cog in Simeone's plans in recent weeks, taking advantage of Tiago's long-term injury to establish himself in the line-up.

Despite Atletico bolstering their midfield recently with the signings of Augusto Fernandez from Celta Vigo and River Plate starlet Matias Kranevitter, Simeone wants to keep Niguez in his ranks as the club attempt to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the La Liga title for the second time in three years.

Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, is also looking to strengthen his squad during the current mercato after a poor start to the campaign. Niguez would help to address the lack of goals in the side, as despite playing mostly in the middle of the park he is Atletico Madrid's second top scorer this season, just behind Antoine Griezmann and ahead of both Fernando Torres and Jackson Martinez.