Chelsea can sign Saul Niguez permanently for around €40million but the 26-year-old Spanish international will have to show he is worth the money.
According to Fabrizio Romano on his Here We Go podcast, as relayed by Tribal Football, Premier League giants Chelsea have discovered what it will take to sign Spanish international Saul Niguez on a permanent deal next summer.
The 26-year-old joined the Blues on loan in the summer transfer window from Atletico Madrid. Alongside Romelu Lukaku, the midfielder represented excellent business for the defending European champions.
Saul, once considered indispendable at Atletico Madrid, has seen his standing suffer in recent months. He was far from a regular last season, and the reigning La Liga champions were not averse to selling him in the summer.
A move to Chelsea gives the Spanish international an opportunity to earn his badges in another league. He can also pick up much from Thomas Tuchel and ensure his game does not drop off in his peak years.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that it will cost Chelsea around €40million to make Saul’s transfer to the Bridge permanent next summer. While it does represent a fair price on paper, the 26-year-old will need to prove his worth to make the Blues’ decision easier.
Saul made his debut for Chelsea last weekend against Aston Villa. Saying it was a disappointment would be flattering. He was pulled off at half-time even as the Blues won 3-0 on the day. Unless the performance was a one-off, it is fair to say Chelsea are better off passing on the chance to make his deal permanent.
Tuchel has three excellent central midfielders in N’Golo Kante, Jorgino and Mateo Kovacic. On paper, Saul should give them a run for their money. He has the ability to do so and is of the right age to become a long-term addition in the middle of the park.
However, his stock has admittedly fallen in recent times. Neither can he conjure the dynamism he often showed during his best days at the Wanda Metropolitano but he also gets caught out as one of the poorer performers on the field.
Tuchel is not one to bear fools and will not think twice about passing on from Saul. The onus is on the 26-year-old Spaniard to impress and earn himself a spot on the Blues roster. The season is still young, and there are many matches still to go. Saul will find enough opportunities to make his case. Whether he will take them or not at Chelsea remains to be seen.
