Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed reports of a £136m bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, insisting he is not interested in signing the 24-year-old.
Rumours have emerged recently claiming that City were set to break their transfer record and meet Saul's release clause of around £136m. It was suggested that Guardiola had identified the Spaniard as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho, but the manager was quick to reject these rumours.
Speaking ahead of City's Champions League clash with Hoffenheim on Wednesday, Guardiola admitted that he is a fan of Saul, but insisted that he will not be making a bid for the midfielder. He is quoted by Goal as saying:
"Sometimes I read 'Pep Guardiola is interested in this player'. Still I didn't know him.
"[Saul] is a fantastic player but we are not interested in him. He is an Atletico Madrid player who is going to stay there for a long time because he is an exceptional player."
Source : 90min