ESPN: City close to agreement for Saúl

According to ESPN, Manchester City have their sights set on landing Saúl from Atlético Madrid and are intent on beating Barcelona to his signature in the summer. ESPN say they are close to signing the player for €80 million, who the Premier League side see as the long-term replacement for Fernandinho, who turns 34 in May.

Barça beat City to the signing of Frenkie de Jong, who arrives at Camp Nou during the summer and Guardiola has stolen a march on the signing of the 24-year-old Spaniard. As have previously reported that Saúl is a target for Barcelona and they have been told his signing is not a lost cause.

"He can't stay at Atletico anymore, everything's complicated for him there," according to a source in the ESPN FC story. 

The club seem to be at a crossroads with Antoine Griezmann reportedly considering his future too. Saúl along with Diego Costa were two of the player most upset with the French attacker's enormous salary when he renewed in the summer and it looks like the Elche-born midfielder is keen to make a move before long