Manchester City have reportedly identified Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez as their number one transfer target this summer.
City were linked with a move for Saul during the January transfer window, only for Pep Guardiola to rule out a mid-season approach for the Spaniard.
However, The Mirror reports that the Premier League champions are now ready to revive their interest after identifying Saul as an ideal replacement for Fernandinho.
City's hopes of prising the 24-year-old away from the Wanda Metropolitano could be hampered by Saul's £130m release clause, though - a fee thought to be too expensive even for City.
Saul will also only be two years into a nine-year contract at the end of this season, meaning that Atletico would have no need to accept a lower sum despite City's desire to negotiate.
Finding cover for Fernandinho is understood to be Man City's main priority this summer, with the defensive midfielder set to turn 34 in May.
Barney Corkhill
