Barcelona are reportedly lining up a shock €110 million summer bid to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, who is also a target for Chelsea.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Barcelona have reignited their interest in Saul Niguez. The La Liga champions are plotting a €110 million bid to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Chelsea also keen on securing his services.
Saul Niguez has come a long way since breaking into the Atletico Madrid first-team setup at the nascent age of just 17. Nearly nine years later, the player has gone on to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, having also become a mainstay in the Spanish national team.
A tally of 273 first-team club appearances makes for an impressive number in itself, and it is hardly surprising that the 24-year-old has previously been on the radars of a number of top European clubs. As per the report, Barcelona and Chelsea are the current serious admirers of the player.
The interest from Barcelona comes as a bit of a surprise, considering Frenkie de Jong is set to make his way to Camp Nou in the summer. The Dutchman’s arrival will leave Ernesto Valverde with a gamut of midfielders, and including loanees Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez, the number will be up to nine.
With essentially just three positions up for grabs, the addition of Saul will only accentuate the problem of plenty, which could well go out of hand. But, the report suggests that the 24-year-old is being seen as a replacement for Ivan Rakitic, who is being heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in a predicament at the present moment, having been imposed with a transfer ban by FIFA which compels them to not sign a player for a couple of windows. But, the Blues can ideally delay the beginning of the time frame to next January’s window, should they contest the ban.
To that end, Chelsea are now hoping to launch the offensive for Saul in the summer transfer window, with the player possibly being a replacement for Mateo Kovacic. Barcelona though, are ready to launch the offensive for the Spanish midfielder, with a €110 million bid being lined up.
The Blaugrana are fancying their chances of snapping up the 24-year-old, who is open to leaving Atletico Madrid if his wages are not hiked by the club. Los Rojiblancos, however, are unwilling to sell Saul to their rivals, if push comes to shove, meaning Chelsea could have the advantage over Barcelona, especially considering they are also ready to meet his €150 million release clause.
Saul though, is eager to stay put in La Liga, which gives Barcelona some hope as well. As things stand, the race to sign the Atletico Madrid superstar remains in the balance, and it remains to be seen where the player heads off to in the summer, should he indeed depart the Wanda Metropolitano.
Barcelona are reportedly lining up a shock €110 million summer bid to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, who is also a target for Chelsea.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Barcelona have reignited their interest in Saul Niguez. The La Liga champions are plotting a €110 million bid to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Chelsea also keen on securing his services.
Saul Niguez has come a long way since breaking into the Atletico Madrid first-team setup at the nascent age of just 17. Nearly nine years later, the player has gone on to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, having also become a mainstay in the Spanish national team.
A tally of 273 first-team club appearances makes for an impressive number in itself, and it is hardly surprising that the 24-year-old has previously been on the radars of a number of top European clubs. As per the report, Barcelona and Chelsea are the current serious admirers of the player.
The interest from Barcelona comes as a bit of a surprise, considering Frenkie de Jong is set to make his way to Camp Nou in the summer. The Dutchman’s arrival will leave Ernesto Valverde with a gamut of midfielders, and including loanees Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez, the number will be up to nine.
With essentially just three positions up for grabs, the addition of Saul will only accentuate the problem of plenty, which could well go out of hand. But, the report suggests that the 24-year-old is being seen as a replacement for Ivan Rakitic, who is being heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in a predicament at the present moment, having been imposed with a transfer ban by FIFA which compels them to not sign a player for a couple of windows. But, the Blues can ideally delay the beginning of the time frame to next January’s window, should they contest the ban.
To that end, Chelsea are now hoping to launch the offensive for Saul in the summer transfer window, with the player possibly being a replacement for Mateo Kovacic. Barcelona though, are ready to launch the offensive for the Spanish midfielder, with a €110 million bid being lined up.
The Blaugrana are fancying their chances of snapping up the 24-year-old, who is open to leaving Atletico Madrid if his wages are not hiked by the club. Los Rojiblancos, however, are unwilling to sell Saul to their rivals, if push comes to shove, meaning Chelsea could have the advantage over Barcelona, especially considering they are also ready to meet his €150 million release clause.
Saul though, is eager to stay put in La Liga, which gives Barcelona some hope as well. As things stand, the race to sign the Atletico Madrid superstar remains in the balance, and it remains to be seen where the player heads off to in the summer, should he indeed depart the Wanda Metropolitano.