Ex-Liverpool winger Steve McManaman believes signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez would not be a big coup for his former club.

The Reds, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, are reportedly interested in the Spaniard, with the 26-year-old thought to be available for around €45m (£38m). However, McManaman thinks he wouldn’t be much of an improvement on Jurgen Klopp’s current midfield options:

“Don’t get me wrong, I think Saul is a wonderful player. I watched him a couple of seasons ago against Liverpool when Atletico Madrid knocked them out of the Champions League. But from what I saw, would I say he’s a superstar midfielder? Probably not. He’s as good as what Liverpool have already got but not better. If he came in tomorrow I wouldn’t be singing from the rooftops, as Liverpool are already well equipped in central midfield.”

It does appear as though Liverpool have cooled their interest in Niguez in recent weeks. There were regular stories linking the player with a move to Anfield in the Spanish press back in July but things have gone quiet since then.

The Spanish international’s wages demands are said to be a key reason why no club has made a formal bid for the midfielder so far this summer, despite the fact he is keen on leaving the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in order to seek out a new challenge.