Liverpool can sign Saul Niguez for €50million (£42.4m) before Deadline Day if they submit the right bid.
Time is running out for Liverpool to make space for new signings and to complete the necessary steps required to bring the likes of Saul in this summer.
Yet, it could still happen and that’s why stories like the ones we’re covering today will continue until Deadline Day.
What could happen before Deadline Day?
Spanish news outlet AS claims that Diego Simeone has no place in his squad for Saul after Rodrigo de Paul joined the club.
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 06: Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Group A match of the UEFA Champions League between Club Atletico de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 6, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
They say that with Liverpool and Manchester United’s interest in Saul, he could still join one of the Premier League clubs but an offer is still yet to arrive from either outfit.
They go on to say a deal can be agreed if the right bid is submitted but they don’t name the price that Atleti would be willing to negotiate at.
Sport suggests that the player will be sold if a €50m (£42.4m) offer is received despite the fact that his contract includes a €150m (£127m) release clause.
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 26: Saul Niguez of Club Atletico de Madrid celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal battle for the ball with Athletic Club during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Athletic Club at Wanda Metropolitano on October 26, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
On the other hand, ABC, another Spanish newspaper suggests that Saul could stay at Atletico as a backup striker to Luis Suarez.
Time is running out for Liverpool
You’ll hear this a number of times from me and my colleagues at other fansites and newspapers as the sand in the transfer window hourglass trickles down.
Signing Saul and a new attacker like recently-linked Jeremy Doku could set Liverpool up for a fantastic season.
Not signing either could condemn them to a season like last should the injuries pile up again without decent backups.
Rennes’ Belgian forward Jeremy Doku reacts during the French L1 football match between Stade Rennais Football Club and Nimes Olympique at The Roazhon Park Stadium in Rennes, north-western France on May 23, 2021. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)
In midfield, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seem to be back to full fitness but we never truly know if they are days or weeks away from a fresh injury.
That’s such a negative take – I know – but it’s realistic and, unfortunately, all too possible and should they both get injured at the same time while Jordan Henderson picks up a knock, Liverpool may start looking thin in the middle of the park.
Not signing a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum is risky and is far too familiar as it reminds me of not replacing Dejan Lovren last summer and we all know how that turned out.
The Reds ended up without a single fit senior centre back and wound up making two emergency signings on Deadline Day in the winter transfer window.
