Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has emerged as a transfer target for their league rivals Barcelona.
In 2017, the midfielder signed a long-term contract with the Europa League winners that will keep him at the club until 2026 and there’s a release clause of €150m.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Blaugrana want the 24-year-old to be their ‘galactic’ signing for next season.
The La Liga winners have already agreed a deal with Ajax for Frenkie de Jong and even after that, the Catalan club have been working for months to sign the Los Rojiblancos star to strengthen the midfield.
For the deal to take shape, Ernesto Valverde’s side are ready to offer €110m, even though it is €40m less than his buyout clause.
AS also claims that should Saul arrive at the Camp Nou, then it is likely to bring an end to Ivan Rakitic’s time at Barca. Reports in Italy claim that clubs are ready to offer €35m, but the European giants are demanding €45m.
Barcelona’s idea is to invest the money they receive from the Croatian’s sale and use it as a part of fee to sign the Atletico player as they are strongly committed to signing Saul.
Saul’s idea is to continue with his current employer, but it should also be considered that he is one of the players unhappy with the salary difference and the ‘comparative grievance after the renewal of Griezmann’.
The report also mentions that Chelsea had planned to pay Saul’s release clause, but that looks unlikely after the transfer ban.
If the clubs agree a deal with Atletico for Saul, then the latter’s first preference would be to continue in the country, meaning Barcelona would be given priority.
