Chelsea not giving up on Saúl Ñíguez yet — reports

The likelihood of Chelsea signing Saul Ñíguez is decreasing with each passing hour, but it is not yet zero, if the latest reports are to be believed.

Part of the problem has been Atlético wanting guaranteed payment (i.e. transfer fee or buy-obligation) — which Chelsea are unwilling to provide — while Atléti themselves are still looking for a replacement as well — which is strange considering that they have already signed Rodrigo De Paul this summer.

One of the names on their shortlist is Pablo Sarabia of PSG, with Diario AS reporting that talks are ongoing over a loan move with a buy-option.

Should Atlético be successful in that pursuit, the departure for Saúl apparently becomes much more feasible — though it’s unlikely to be resolved before the final hours of deadline day, even if Atléti become more willing to deal, as Goal report.

(Ed.note: corollary to all this, reports continue to claim that Callum Hudson-Odoi’s situation is somehow related to Saúl arriving, which continues to make very little actual sense.)