The Italian took to his YouTube channel to give the latest update on the Saul, Griezmann and Felix merry go round.
Anfield Central covered the ins and outs of the saga in detail on Saturday so you can read more on that here but we have confirmation that Liverpool have made a move to sign Saul.
This comes from Fabrizio Romano, who only really puts his stamp of approval on transfer stories that are well underway.
Atletico Madrid’s Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez scores the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16, first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on February 18, 2020. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he went into great detail about the dynamic between Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann and Saul.
He stated that the proposed swap deal is agreeable to all parties involved but the finances remain a major hurdle.
Romano says that both players refuse to accept a pay cut to move this summer which means that Saul will keep his £207,000/week wage while Griezmann wants to continue earning £594,000/week.
Both clubs are looking to reduce their wage bill this summer and for Atleti, signing Griezmann on such enormous wages isn’t conducive for reducing costs.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 04: Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona waves to the crowd prior to the Joan Gamper trophy friendly match at Nou Camp between FC Barcelona and Arsenal on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
If it’s true Saul earns £207,000/week, he would need to accept a wage cut to move to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s side has a very controlled wage structure.
Thiago Alcantara went straight into the club’s highest-earning bracket but he is one of Europe’s most accomplished midfielders.
Saul still has a way to go until he matches Thiago’s accomplishments but hopefully the 26-year-old can become just as successful as his compatriot was at Bayern Munich with Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Thiago Alcantara new signing of Liverpool at Anfield on September 18, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The next period in Klopp’s tenure as manager is really important as it’s the first time in his Anfield career that he has had to re-build and if he gets it right and wins more silverware, he’ll go down not just as a legend in Liverpool fans’ eyes but also a Premer League great.
While some might say that Saul isn’t a spectacular player and that may be true, the no.8 is the ideal midfielder for Klopp’s system.
He quietly goes about his business but is aggressive in his tackling, proactive in the way he positions himself and is superb at passing.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 8: (L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on May 8, 2021 in Barcelona Spain. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
There’s no denying that there are more special no.8s out there like Paul Pogba but the Frenchman and his ilk simply wouldn’t excel in Liverpool’s midfield.
Talent alone isn’t enough to guarantee success in the Anfield engine room but Saul has all the tools to be a success on Merseyside.
