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5 starlets who may have already agreed to join Manchester United next season

By Rucker Haringey

LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses's defender aguilar tackles Benfica's midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses's defender aguilar tackles Benfica's midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 01: Saul Niguez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their second goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Vicente Calderon Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 01: Saul Niguez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their second goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Vicente Calderon Stadium on March 1, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

3. Saul Niguez

Reports of United’s interest in the Atletico Madrid star are nothing new, but perhaps van Gaal’s insertion of youth into his lineup have helped to turn Niguez’s head just a bit. Purchasing a player of that caliber would certainly be a coup for Woodward and United.

Niguez has been an instrumental part of Diego Simeone’s squad this season. He’s started 18 La Liga matches in the Atletico midfield and is fifth on the team in terms of his Whoscored.com player rating. He’s a huge reason that his club currently resides second in La Liga.

You may wonder why anyone would think a player of that caliber would be willing to leave Atletico Madrid, but tensions between the player and his club have risen as of late. The Sun reported that Atletico was keen to tie Niguez down with a long-term contract extension but the player has rebuffed those efforts. That means he will remain available to United if they’re willing to meet his release clause of around 35 million pounds.

Where there’s smoke there’s usually fire and Niguez is flat-out sending smoke signals with his refusal to ink a new deal with Atletico. He clearly wants a move away and Manchester United is a club that could give him the money, prestige and playing time he wants.

Next: 2. Marquinhos

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