Manchester United are distancing themselves from an imminent move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Atletico are looking to sell the Spain international this window as he is one of their biggest earners. United admire the 26-year-old and explored a deal earlier this summer, including the proposal of a loan with option to buy. 

However, finances, plus transfer strategy, dictate that unless they lose a midfielder in the next few days they will wait before adding another player in that department.

Saul is highly-regarded as one of Europe's best midfielders but he is understood to be on around £300,000 a week and would want guaranteed playing time if he moved.

Chelsea are also among the clubs to have been offered Saul, who has been with Atletico since the age of 17 and was part of their title-winning side last season.

They have an interest in a loan but also have an abundance of midfielders and are looking to move on three or four of those first.

Tiemoue Bakayoko is in talks over a move to AC Milan, while they also have Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater looking for regular game time.

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he overused Jorginho at the end of last season while N'Golo Kante has had a number of niggling injuries so Tuchel could decide he needs more quality in depth over the next few days.

Chelsea hold an interest in Declan Rice of West Ham but their £100m valuation has proved an obvious obstacle to any deal there. 

Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is another option to have been discussed as well as Eduardo Camavinga at Rennes but he is considered one for the future and is out of contract next summer with United also interested.