Chelsea ‘actively working to sign Saul Niguez’ with a deal back on the cards
Chelsea look set to land Saul Niguez before the transfer window shuts after a dramatic turn of events in their quest to land the Atletico Madrid midfielder.
A loan move for the Spaniard appeared to be over in the past 48 hours, with the Spanish club deciding they wish to keep the midfielder for the 2021-22 campaign.
The LaLiga champions are thought to have informed the 26-year-old that he could not leave the club for Chelsea in what appeared to have effectively ended Chelsea’s pursuit once and for all.
Chelsea’s move for Saul Niguez appears to be back on in the dying hours of the window
But Sportsmail understands that a temporary switch has now been agreed between the two clubs, with the move now set to complete before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
Saul is understood to be keen on moving to Stamford Bridge as he looks to earn his place back in the Spanish squad.
The 26-year-old was not selected by Luis Enrique for the national team at the Euros and missed out once more for the upcoming international break and a fresh start at Chelsea would provide Saul the opportunity to prove his worth to Enrique.
Atletico are attempting to shift some of their younger players on Deadline Day, but do not want to lose important senior players before the window shuts. Saul is viewed by the club’s hierarchy, and Diego Simeone, as one such important player, however that vision now appears to have altered.
The 26-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Thomas Tuchel’s European kings
Atletico Madrid are intent on keeping their man and had told him he cannot leave the club
However, talks between Chelsea (pictured: Director Marina Granovskaia) are back on
Chelsea are attempting to salvage two deals that had appeared to go awry in the past few days. The European champions’ move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde also hit an obstacle after the LaLiga club shifted the goalposts.
The Blues had agreed a £43million fee for the French defender, but reports suggest that Sevilla have now increased their valuation of the 22-year-old by a further £12.8m.
Sevilla are resolutely sticking to their new price for Kounde, with sporting director Monchi insisting on Tuesday that the Frenchman will not leave for less than his £68.5m release clause.
Chelsea, however, are adamant that they will not be bullied into meeting their new valuation, with the clubs at a deadlock with mere hours to go in the window.
Missing out on Kounde will be a blow for Thomas Tuchel, who is looking to strengthen his squad in their assault on the Premier League title – but it would be softened somewhat if he can get one of his two targets over the line.
