MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City will go head to head in the race to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, according to reports.

The bitter rivals have both been linked with the Spaniard since 2018, but after Niguez failed to agree a new deal at the Wanda Metropolitano a Premier League switch has moved one step closer.

1 Man Utd and Man City are going head to head in the race for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez

Niguez also signed with Stellar Group last year - the agency run by Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett - so the link between Niguez and England already exists.

Arsenal were also interested in the Spanish international in early 2019 but it is now a two horse race between Manchester's biggest clubs, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

City emerged as early favourites to sign him as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho before last summer's transfer window.

But Pep Guardiola’s side eventually landed Niguez's Atletico team-mate Rodri instead.

United scouts have reportedly been monitoring the deep-lying middle man since his loan spell with Rayo Vallecano in the 2013-14 season.

And they will need to bolster their midfield this summer with Paul Pogba likely to leave.

But both clubs will be looking to convince Atletico to lower their valuation of their star man.

Niguez is said to have £141million release clause in his deal but both will want to agree on a lower fee.

The midfielder is currently a key man in Diego Simeone's side having already played 37 times in all competitions so far this season.

He joined Atleti as a 14-year-old, after leaving cross-town rivals Real Madrid.

The talented Spaniard comes from a footballing family, with brother Aaron and Jonathan also professionals, while his father, Jose Antonio, played for Elche in LaLiga.

Niguez is a former Los Blancos youth product and was a part of the Spain under-21 side that lost to England in the European Championships in 2017.

Despite his obvious talent, Niguez only made his full Spain debut on September 1, 2016 against Belgium, aged 21.