Chelsea weighing up loan move for Saul

Chelsea are said to be weighing up a late loan move for Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez, as the club look to move on several fringe midfielders before the transfer window’s deadline.

Saul has been linked with an exit from Atletico Madrid throughout the summer with several Premier League clubs credited with an interest, with Chelsea understood to be considering a late move should the west Londoners free room in a bloated squad.

The Telegraph are reporting that the Blues are hopeful of selling Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko before the August 31 deadline, the trio all deemed surplus to requirements and not even designated squad numbers ahead of the 2021/22 season.

There also remains uncertainty surrounding both Ethan Ampadu and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the duo having returned from loan spells at Sheffield United and Fulham respectively last season.

Should the club find suitors for their unwanted midfielders, Chelsea will launch a late move to sign Saul on loan as Thomas Tuchel bids to finalise his squad.

The 26-year-old is keen to leave the Spanish capital after becoming frustrated with his role under Diego Simeone and the midfielder will be allowed to leave on loan – most likely with an obligation to buy.

Saul was linked with a move to Barcelona earlier in the summer as part of a potential swap-deal involving Antoine Griezmann, though talks with the club’s divisional rivals failed to materialise in an agreement.

Manchester United and Liverpool have also both been credited as potential suitors.

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