Report: Chelsea plan to sign 26-year-old Spaniard permanently next summer but on one condition

Saul Niguez could sign a permanent deal with Chelsea if he shines during his loan spell.

According to Standard Sport via @AbsoluteChelsea on Twitter (h/t football.london), Chelsea will sign their newest summer arrival Saul Niguez on a permanent deal if he shines in his loan spell at the club. Chelsea got hold of the Spaniard on the deadline day from Atletico Madrid. The player is seen as a reinforcement option for first choice midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.

Saul Niguez could be featuring in the starting eleven for Thomas Tuchel’s team as N’Golo Kante is out injured. Tuchel has also taken the arrival of Saul very well and hinted the player could have a major role to play for the Blues this season. If the recent report is to be true, this could suggest Chelsea may not make the move for Declan Rice next summer who was linked with Chelsea this summer.

Chelsea did approach the Hammers to land the former Chelsea-academy player back at Stamford Bridge. But West Ham were firm on their demands of getting £100million for the defender. This saw Chelsea back down from the negotiations and on the deadline day and went on to sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on loan.

The report also suggested that Saul’s loan agreement includes an option to buy which adds up to £30million. Considering the transfer market if Chelsea does manage to get Saul for this amount will be good business on their part and the player is just 26-years old.

Speaking on his national counterpart, Marcos Alonso said that Saul has good qualities and will help the team this season, speaking to the Chelsea website he said:

“He’s a great player. His conditions are going to be good for the Premier League. He is strong physically, he is very good in the air.”

“He is ready to kick off and hopefully we can take advantage of his qualities and will be of great help to the team,”

More Chelsea News

• 28-year-old Chelsea ace to take his time before signing a new deal at the club
• Transfer News: Spanish giants reach ‘verbal pact’ with 21-year-old Chelsea target
• “Wanted to leave”- La Liga club president reveals how Chelsea completed deadline day move for 26-year-old star

However, Chelsea could still reignite their interest in Declan Rice if they are able to offload any one of three first-team midfielders. It will be an interesting summer for Chelsea as they will have an option to either keep hold of Saul Niguez or revisit West Ham to sign Declan Rice.