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Chelsea are considering a late loan for Atlético Madrid’s Saúl Ñíguez, but the European champions could face competition for the Manchester United midfielder.
Atlético are ready to let Saúl go on loan for a season before the transfer window closes next Tuesday, raising the possibility of the Spain international moving to England. Chelsea could intensify their interest if Thomas Tuchel decides he needs more depth in the central midfield and sources in Spain have not ruled out United trying to sign the 26-year-old.
Saúl is considered one of the best midfielders in Europe and has become an important player for Atlético after advancing in his academy, helping Diego Simeone’s side win La Liga last season. However, his future at Atlético has been uncertain for some time and he could face a new challenge after being excluded from the Spanish squad for Euro 2020.
The possibility of signing Saúl on loan could make sense for Chelsea, who are looking to end uncertainty over the future of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger by offering new contracts to the two center-backs. Chelsea are unlikely to spend much on a midfielder this summer, with West Ham depriving them of a transfer for Declan Rice. However, Tuchel could decide he needs more competition alongside Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kanté and Jorginho after loaning Billy Gilmour to Norwich.
Kanté has had injury issues for the past two years and Tuchel, who retains an interest in Sevilla center-back Jules Koundé, admitted he abused Jorginho at the end of last season. However, a decision by Saúl could depend on the transfer of some of his midfielders by Chelsea before the window closes, with Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Tiémoué Bakayoko available. Milan are interested in Bakayoko, as it remains to be seen whether Tuchel believes Ethan Ampadu and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are capable of replacing Kanté, Kovacic and Jorginho.
Chelsea are also set to sell Kurt Zouma to West Ham to make room for a move for Kounde. West Ham are ready to pay £ 25million for Zouma, but the center-back’s salary demands have left the transfer in doubt. The 26-year-old has asked to be paid £ 130,000 a week if he has to cross London.
As Zouma fell down the hierarchy under Tuchel, Chelsea offered new contracts to Christensen and Rüdiger. Both Christensen and Rudiger have entered the final year of their current deals and Chelsea don’t want to lose them on free transfers.
Christensen is believed to be close to agreeing to sign his deal. However, there is less certainty about Rüdiger, who was almost sold by Frank Lampard last summer. The Germany international has been excellent since Tuchel arrived in January, but he could choose to leave Stamford Bridge. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all monitoring his situation.
Meanwhile, West Ham, who have yet to sign a permanent contract this summer, are interested in CSKA Moscow midfielder Nikola Vlasic. The Croatia international could be an alternative to Jesse Lingard, who impressed on loan at London Stadium last season. West Ham want to sign Lingard permanently, but they have been put off by United’s £ 25million asking price for the 28-year-old.
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