Liverpool are believed to be preparing an offer of around € 40 million (€ 34.4 million) for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, with both the Spanish club and the player open for a potential transfer.
It is well noted that the Reds need some reinforcements in the middle of the park this summer after the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum. There were some reports that they did not want to replace him and instead promote from within, but the noise from Anfield indicates that they want to recruit a new midfielder.
They have been linked to a solitaire with potential Wijnaldum replacements, ranging from Youri Tielemans to Renato Sanches via Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner. But a rumor that recently seems to have gained some momentum is Atletico Madrid star Saul.
News of Liverpool’s interest first came from Spain earlier this week, where La Razon vaguely claimed that Liverpool were watching Saul and that Atleti were prepared to talk.
But the story has now been taken a step further by AS, who claim that Liverpool are now ‘preparing a bid’ in the region for 40 million euros for the 26-year-old.
It is understood that the La Liga champions are looking for a little more than the reported fee on the table for Saul, but the days when they could order close to 100 million euros for his services have been gone. While playing a role in their famous title win last season, his stock has fallen with some inconsistent performances, and he was even left out of Spain’s squad for this summer’s Euro.
If he stays, he will have a role to play under Diego Simeone. But his playing time dropped dramatically last season, and with the imminent arrival of Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese, he has a battle on his hands to hold on to a first-place finish.
Return to this Saúl Ñíguez solo effort …
Not many people can walk through a Bayern Munich team? Pic.twitter.com/G39lykyHpo
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) 19 February 2021
All that is considered, Saul himself believes that it may be time to move on and believes that the Premier League can be an exciting next step.
Elsewhere, it is claimed that Liverpool have made an inquiry for another Spanish international in Wolves’ Adama Traore. This one comes from Football Insider, though 90 minutes also reported back in June that the Reds had an interest in the winger.
It was then thought that the Wolves were prepared to sell him to raise money, but whether Liverpool will be prepared to meet their request after an indifferent season where the 25-year-old fought for long spells remains to be seen.
