Barcelona plot transfer swoop for Chelsea flop Saul Niguez after loan spell from Atletico Madrid ends
CHELSEA loanee Saul Niguez could be set for a move to Barcelona at the end of the season, according to reports.
The 27-year-old midfielder is currently on a season-long loan spell with the Blues from Atletico Madrid.
But he has failed to make any sort of real impact on the side, starting just two Premier League games so far this term.
In 17 matches in all competitions, he has failed to score or assist a single goal.
As a result, Thomas Tuchel is not expected to try and make the deal permanent.
But according to , Barcelona are interested in bringing him to the Nou Camp in the summer.
The Catalan giants are currently waiting to see if Atletico make Antoine Griezmann's loan move a permanent one.
And if they attempt to do so, Saul could be used as a bargaining chip - heading the other way as part of the deal.
LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS
The Spaniard was on Barcelona boss Xavi's radar in the January transfer window.
His versatility is thought to be a major positive, given he can play in central midfield and at left-back.
Saul, who is represented by Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett, spent some of his youth career at Atletico after arriving from Real Madrid as a teenager.
He has gone on to feature 340 times for the club, netting 43 goals and playing an integral role in seven successful campaigns.
Saul, a Copa del Rey winner in 2013, missed out on the 2013-14 LaLiga title won by Diego Simeone's side as he was on loan at Rayo Vallecano at the time.
But since then he has gone on to lift several trophies with the Spanish giants.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
He claimed the Spanish Super Cup in 2014 and Europa League and Uefa Super Cup in 2018.
Saul also suffered Champions League final heartbreak in 2016 when Atletico were beaten on penalties by rivals Real.
But the Elche-born player enjoyed the highlight of his career last season, featuring heavily in Atletico's LaLiga title-winning campaign.
⚽ Read our Football News Live blog for breaking news, transfer gossip and must-read stories