Chelsea are considering a late loan approach for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez in the final week of the summer transfer window.
The Blues have signed Romelu Lukaku and back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli so far this summer and remain hopeful of landing Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde. But an approach for Saul at this late stage of the summer could be the ultimate in opportunistic recruitment.
Saul made his decision to leave Atletico last season after falling out of favour as the club went on to win La Liga. At one stage it looked possible that he could join Barcelona in a deal involving Antoine Griezmann heading back to Madrid, but the plug was pulled on that proposal.
Atletico’s attempts to move on the 26-year-old has seen them offer his services to Premier League clubs on loan. Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked with Saul before now, although none have ever shown enough interest in striking a permanent deal.
The latest update from the Daily Telegraph suggests that Chelsea are thinking about taking Atletico up on the loan option. Despite interest in Declan Rice, it is said that the Blues are not urgently seeking a new midfielder but are open to making an approach for Saul because he is available.
As things stand, the respective futures of both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ethan Ampadu are up in the air, while Chelsea would like to find new clubs for Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko. The latter trio haven’t even been assigned squad numbers this season.
Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are Thomas Tuchel’s current primary central midfield options, having allowed Billy Gilmour to join Norwich on loan. Saul could boost depth in that area of the pitch, otherwise there may be more need for Loftus-Cheek to stay.
Saul played for Atletico in the 2016 Champions League final and the following summer signed a new nine-year contract until 2026. Things have soured, but despite Atletico offering him out, the Spain international has actually played 90 minutes in each of the club’s first two La Liga games.
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Source : 90min