Liverpool have reportedly returned with an improved offer for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez as they look to bolster their squad this summer.
According to a report from Catalan publication SPORT, Liverpool have submitted an improved offer of €40 million plus a player in order to sign Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid.
Saul, 26, has been a permanent fixture in the Atletico Madrid lineup for a good part of the past seven years. However, the midfielder saw his importance within the team reduce during the last season even as Los Rojiblancos went on to lift the La Liga title. With Rodrigo De Paul arriving to bolster the midfield unit further, the 26-year-old is now set for an exit from the Wanda Metropolitano this summer.
Saul’s situation has led to serious interest from a host of clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona. The Catalans had been touted to be involved in a swap deal with Atleti that would have seen Antoine Griezmann move the other way with Saul arriving at Camp Nou. However, talks over such an arrangement have hit a brick wall, alerting the Premier League bigwigs.
Liverpool’s need for a new midfielder emanates from the departure of former mainstay Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman saw out his contract with the Reds before signing for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer earlier this summer, leaving a huge void in Jurgen Klopp’s side. With Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not performing up to the mark, adding a new midfielder becomes important.
To that end, Saul has emerged as a top transfer target for the Merseyside giants. In fact, Liverpool were said to have lodged an offer for the midfielder already but were rebuffed by Atletico Madrid. As a result, Klopp & co. have now returned with an improved offer for the Spanish international.
As per the new terms, Liverpool are willing to offer €40 million in transfer fees while also allowing Xherdan Shaqiri, who is valued at around €15 million, to make the switch to the Wanda Metropolitano. While the Swiss midfielder has been included as part of the offer, the name of captain Jordan Henderson has also popped up during talks, the report states.
The 31-year-old Reds’ skipper has seen talks over a new deal stall at Anfield and is a player that would fit into Diego Simeone’s system, leading to his name also being discussed. It now remains to be seen as to what new turn this transfer saga takes as Liverpool continue to push for the signing of Saul.
