Barcelona want him and he's on Manchester United's radar… but £71m man Saul won't leave Atletico Madrid in the lurch during their transfer ban

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Saul Niguez's stock is rising fast after a phenomenal Euro 2017 but the Spanish whizz-kid isn't about to leave transfer-banned Atletico Madrid in the lurch.

The 22-year-old midfielder has wowed audiences at the Under 21 Championship in Poland this month, just as he has wowed crowds up and down La Liga since breaking into the Atletico team in 2014.

He's coveted by Barcelona, has been scouted by Manchester United and - following a glittering Euros display for Spain during which he has scored five goals in three matches - he will undoubtedly gather more and more attention during the summer transfer window.

Saul Niguez scored a hat-trick for Spain Under 21s against Italy at Euro 2017 on Tuesday

The midfielder is wanted by Barcelona and has been scouted by Manchester United 

Atletico would be entitled to £71million should any club wish to activate Saul's buyout clause and Barca head his list of suitors.

However, the player is unlikely to cut and run given his current team's transfer predicament.

Atleti are not permitted to register any new players until January after being hit with a two-window ban after breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18.

The Court of Arbitration of Sport upheld the suspension earlier this month, meaning the club are unable to sign new players this summer.

Therefore, Saul is likely to commit to remaining in Madrid, much like his team-mate Antoine Griezmann, who had been poised for a move to United before signing a year's extension to his contract at Atletico.

Saul has a £71million buyout clause in his Atletico Madrid contract but is unlikely to leave

Atletico are under a transfer ban and that could encourage Saul to remain at the club

A similar new deal for Saul is entirely possible following his stunning hat-trick against Italy in the Euros on Tuesday night.

Barca are unlikely to call off their pursuit just yet, however, while United have been monitoring the midfielder since 2013.

In fact, Sir Alex Ferguson's brother Martin was sent to watch Saul during his successful loan spell at Rayo Vallecano.

Since that year away, Saul has grown into a vital cog in the Atleti machine under Diego Simeone - helping his team challenge towards the top of La Liga and reach the final of the Champions League in 2015-16.

The son of a footballer - his father spent much of his career at Elche - he made his debut in 2012 aged just 17 and has scored 22 goals in 149 appearances across all competitions for Simeone's side since. 

Spain reached the European Under 21 Championship final with victory over Italy on Tuesday

Amid all the talk about his future, however, Saul remains focused on the job at hand in Poland.

Spain take on Germany, who dumped England out on penalties, in the competition's final in Krakow on Friday evening.

And Saul is doing his best not to be distracted. 

He said of transfer chatter: 'I have not heard any.

'Anyway if I had to do anything about my future, it would be after the Euros. Because I am focused on this tournament.'

Saul has scored five goals in three matches for his country at the tournament in Poland