Saul Niguez: Chelsea sign Atletico and Spain midfielder on loan after Sevilla reject Kounde bid - BBC Sport
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Saul Niguez: Chelsea sign Atletico and Spain midfielder on loan after Sevilla reject Kounde bid

Last updated on .From the section Chelseacomments491

Saul Niguez
Saul Niguez has made 340 appearances for Atletico Madrid scoring 43 goals

Chelsea have signed Atletico Madrid and Spain midfielder Saul Niguez on loan with an option to buy.

The 26-year-old was a key player as Atletico won La Liga last term, making 33 appearances.

Chelsea doubted they could sign Saul, but managed to strike a deal, paying a loan fee with an option to make the move permanent.

Sevilla earlier confirmed that they had rejected Chelsea's "unsatisfactory" offer for France defender Jules Kounde.

"I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea," said Saul, who was previously linked to Manchester United.

"Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can't wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!"

Saul has played 340 matches for Atletico and scored 43 goals.

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's one of those odd ones because Chelsea are loaded with players in every single position, yet Saul Niguez is a quality player - but you just think: 'Where?'

"I don't get it. I am quite surprised by that one."

Sevilla stood firm over the fee required for Kounde, insisting he would not be allowed to join the Blues for less than his 80m euros release clause.

Sevilla sporting director Monchi said in a press conference a bid had been rejected for the 22-year-old.

The Blues have been heavily linked with Kounde this summer and were hopeful a deal could be reached following Kurt Zouma's move to West Ham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu, 20, has gone on a season-long loan to Serie A side Venezia.

The Wales international has also signed a new deal with the Blues, committing him to staying at Stamford Bridge until 2024.

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491 comments

  • Comment posted by John Jones, at 01:51 1 Sep 2021

    chelsea sell 143m of players, and have a further 30m+ to come on loan to buy players loaned out (obligations), but pay 100m on two players (this summer, as only saul is only loan) yet people go on about chelsea financial doping. people got their maths wrong, chelsea are in profit.

    • Reply posted by bigwats99, at 02:13 1 Sep 2021

      bigwats99 replied:
      Hahahaha Hahahahaha

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 03:28 1 Sep 2021

    Good lord. Chelsea really know how to sign quality players. Watch and learn Arsenal. Watch and learn

  • Comment posted by stormbringer, at 00:48 1 Sep 2021

    When you take a close look at Chelsea's finances and major trophy returns you would have to conclude that.... They are the best run football club in the world....

    And that is.... Unbelievable Jeff/Saul....

    • Reply posted by Paul H, at 08:31 1 Sep 2021

      Paul H replied:
      Better call Saul 😉

  • Comment posted by Emmastan291, at 00:09 1 Sep 2021

    An excellent deal..
    Tuchel has done well..

    Kante,Saul,jorginho etc.
    Chelsea has quality and quantity.

    • Reply posted by Youwhat, at 00:30 1 Sep 2021

      Youwhat replied:
      Strong squad gets stronger 💪

  • Comment posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 00:43 1 Sep 2021

    Worth a year at least. A versatile and experienced technician. Chelsea are 40m in the black after that window and shed a lot of wages also. Good business!

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 00:51 1 Sep 2021

      Celts replied:
      Don't get what it is with Spanish clubs loaning players in their mid-20's.

      Saul, Griezmann etc.

      Evening Coutinho got loaned out for 2 years just after Barca spent £142 million on him!!

  • Comment posted by teez, at 00:25 1 Sep 2021

    Great signing, Chelsea need 4 players to compete for the two midfield roles. He looks like an all action midfielder that knows how to defend.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 00:44 1 Sep 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      We need that with rotation key for workload and to cover injuries.

  • Comment posted by just4now, at 00:20 1 Sep 2021

    He's played under Simeone so you know defensively he's stern, knows a few rough tackles, a few underhanded tackles...but is gifted with forward natural progressive play, can dribble with the ball, pass and can shoot, unlike kovacic. Kante and him would be quite the midfield.

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, at 00:30 1 Sep 2021

      finnharpsman replied:
      He is nowhere near as good as you think. I have watched him many times. There has never been a game when he played better than "reasonably well". There has never been a game when he made the difference to get a win.

  • Comment posted by macca, at 07:33 1 Sep 2021

    Not a Chelsea fan but gotta say Tuchel comes across as a passionate/committed/ likeable manager and has in his short time there transformed Chelsea into a very formidable team. Saul I think will be a valuable addition to an already quality side.

  • Comment posted by shed upper yaface, at 00:06 1 Sep 2021

    Interesting signing if he plays in one of the two holding midfield positions and can score the odd goal and provide assists then he should get to play alongside Kante instead of Jorginho and Kovacic
    It would appear that the Kounde deal was called off by Chelsea because Seville increased the asking price at the eleventh hour
    Hopefully Chalobah can take Zouma's place in the squad
    In TT we trust

    • Reply posted by FootballGURU, at 00:10 1 Sep 2021

      FootballGURU replied:
      Yeah cause he's better than Jorginho and Kovacic, champions league winners (and 1 Euros) not as good as La Liga right

  • Comment posted by arab87, at 01:38 1 Sep 2021

    Jamie Carragher is an absolute embarrassment.

    • Reply posted by Superdad, at 06:31 1 Sep 2021

      Superdad replied:
      Better career than you 😂

  • Comment posted by blue, at 05:18 1 Sep 2021

    some on about liverpool.....they don't need anyone.......they have VAR

    • Reply posted by empireofthekop, at 08:51 1 Sep 2021

      empireofthekop replied:
      Its amazing to see that people can be so ignorant when decision goes against them

  • Comment posted by stormbringer, at 00:20 1 Sep 2021

    Saul/Kante/Jorginho/Kovacic?.... That's unbelievable Jeff....

    • Reply posted by teez, at 00:32 1 Sep 2021

      teez replied:
      Just wondering what happens Loftus cheek and Berkley..... no one seems to have taken them

  • Comment posted by shed upper yaface, at 13:48 1 Sep 2021

    Just seen the Premier League net spend league table for this transfer window
    Manchester United have the highest net spend with Arsenal, City and Crystal Palace making up the top 4
    Chelsea are bottom of the table and are over £30M in profit
    Please let that be the end of this Chelsea don't comply with FFP nonsense because anyone who posts that rubbish is just making themselves look a bit daft 😃

  • Comment posted by D1710844134142, at 06:59 1 Sep 2021

    Liverpool: Keita, Fabhino, Hendroson 😏
    City: Rodrigo, Gundogan, Fernandhino 😎
    Chelsea: Kante, Kovacic, Jorgihno, Saul 🤯
    United: McFred 🤡

    • Reply posted by Peacehaven over35s, at 07:05 1 Sep 2021

      Peacehaven over35s replied:
      United: Fred, Fernandes, Pogba, McTominay, Van de Beek

  • Comment posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 07:57 1 Sep 2021

    Apparently Chelsea have a net spend of just over £3 million - less than Burnley and Brentford. However, people will still say they are buying trophies, because they spent so much on Lukaku.

    • Reply posted by saddletramp , at 08:30 1 Sep 2021

      saddletramp replied:
      Just depends if you count the money Chelsea paid for the players they sold ?

      Zappacosta cost £28 million + bonus's in 2017.
      In the net spend 2021 that's a plus of £8 mill,when in fact it's a loss of £20 million +

      Giroud sold for less than paid for,.
      Moses,ditto.
      Van Ginkel £8 mill in 2013,2 games in 8 years,then went on a free this summer.
      How many Chelsea fans thought he left years ago ?

  • Comment posted by Bluetooth, at 04:38 1 Sep 2021

    Gather Atletico let Saul go to make room for Griezmann's salary. Given the latter's performance at Barcelona, one could well argue that Chelsea is benefitting from the simultaneous weakening of two major Spanish clubs. Saul is a fantastic player for sure.

    • Reply posted by D1710804327505, at 10:31 1 Sep 2021

      D1710804327505 replied:
      So fantastic I'd never heard of him before today.

  • Comment posted by Grassroots footy 54, at 07:58 1 Sep 2021

    Great transfer window , now go and win the premiership

  • Comment posted by Gerry, at 07:31 1 Sep 2021

    The acquisition of Saul is nothing compared to the departures of Drinkwater and Bakayoko. Losing that surplus leaves Chelsea a lot healthier now. Good work Marina, the next few seasons are looking exciting and serious after a few wasted seasons.

  • Comment posted by zyder, at 01:57 1 Sep 2021

    Chelsea will be looking at moving at least one midfielder at the end of this season. Makes perfect sense to bring in Saul (only 26 remember) on loan, see if he buys in and performs well enough for a contract. All about staying ahead of the game

    • Reply posted by John Jones, at 02:02 1 Sep 2021

      John Jones replied:
      i compared all the stats between jorginho, kovacic, and kante and he's down by 5-10% in most areas, in a weaker league. admittedly everyone says he had a bad last season. but i suppose, what is the drop off with RLC, Barkley, Drinkwater, Baka, 20-40%. Baka especially, some terrible players amongst this lot. CM at chelsea just needs players with good control in tight areas that can rotate the ball

  • Comment posted by Commentier, at 03:37 1 Sep 2021

    People keep saying Chelsea should buy more players. Nah, he’s Saul you need.

    • Reply posted by D1679286627309, at 08:02 1 Sep 2021

      D1679286627309 replied:
      😂

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