Chelsea are reportedly putting intense efforts to try and secure the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez on loan on the deadline day.

According to a report from The Athletic, Chelsea are still working to try and sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on loan for the rest of the season before the transfer window slams shut.

The 26-year-old Saul has seen his stock at Atletico Madrid fall over the last year or so, with his game-time reducing in their title-winning campaign, while the arrival of Rodrigo De Paul has further pushed him down the pecking order. An exit has been mooted strongly all summer, but as we enter the final hours of the deadline day, he still remains an Atletico Madrid player.

Chelsea are one of the clubs that have been heavily linked with a move for the Spanish international. However, earlier today, it was being claimed that a transfer was extremely unlikely as the La Liga champions seemingly decided to keep hold of him for another season. But, Chelsea have not given up and are still working on snapping up the signing of the 26-year-old.

Chelsea’s need for a new midfielder has exacerbated over the weekend after superstar N’Golo Kante aggravated his ankle injury. The Frenchman has been bogged down by fitness issues of late, and with just Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as options beyond him, Thomas Tuchel is slim on options in the middle of the park.

Saul could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Saul could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek seems set for a stay at Stamford Bridge, but he is more of an attack-minded midfielder, which is why Chelsea are now being forced into the market to rope in another player before the transfer window closes.

Saul, to that end, has emerged as a viable transfer target, considering that he is capable of playing in a multitude of roles in the middle of the park while he can also provide an additional option for the wing-back slot. Chelsea, as a result, are pushing hard to sign him, on a loan deal for the rest of the season, with an option of making the transfer permanent next year.

The Spanish international is contracted with Atletico Madrid till the summer of 2026. So, they are in a strong negotiating position when it comes to Saul. However, considering that they have signed De Paul and are lining up a move for Pablo Sarabia, things may change between now and the final hours of the deadline day.

As of now, Chelsea have made just two signings this summer, with Marcus Bettinelli and Romelu Lukaku the only arrivals. It now remains to be seen if the duo is joined by either Saul or another La Liga player in Jules Kounde, who is also a top target for Chelsea.

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