Transfer News: Chelsea in talks to sign Saul Niguez on loan

Chelsea are reportedly considering bringing in Spanish International Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan deal.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are closely monitoring Saul Niguez’s situation at Atletico Madrid and are exploring a potential loan move for the Spaniard before the transfer deadline day.

Saul’s future at Wanda Metropolitano has been in speculation for a while now. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Los Colchoneros with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Barcelona all understood to be potential suitors interested in securing his services.

The 26-year-old’s representatives are pushing hard for a transfer away and have offered Saul to various Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, who turned down the proposal. Chelsea are the latest side to have initiated talks and are interested in taking the midfielder on a loan deal. The discussions are said to be in the initial stages, with the possibility of Saul heading to Stamford Bridge at evens at this moment.

Chelsea have been credited with an interest in a number of midfielders in past weeks, with West Ham’s Declan Rice and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham some of the names touted in the media. The Blues wants to bolster their midfield options, with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho being the only options available at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal.

Saul has been one of the loyal servants at Atletico Madrid, having made 338 appearances for Los Rojiblancos. He is undoubtedly one of the most experienced midfielders, but he fell down in the pecking order behind Marcos Llorente over the past year.

Saul would be a decent pick-up for Chelsea if they are looking for a backup for their current Kante and Kovacic, but one that could prove to be expensive and will cost them a good fortune even on loan. He is an excellent hard-running box-to-box holding midfielder who certainly possesses plenty of talent.

While he underwhelmed last season, Saul’s numbers in the 2019/20 season speak for themselves. He racked up six goals in 35 appearances, took 1.3 shots and just under one dribble per game; defensively, he was astute and averaged 2.7 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 1.6 clearances per 90. He would be a fine addition for any club If he can replicate his past form.

Saul still has five years left on his nine-year Atletico contract that he signed back in 2017; both parties made big commitments but are now on the split and are trying to find a suitable escape route for the Spaniard. Time will tell whether Chelsea will move ahead with Saul transfer or move to other options available in the market.