Chelsea may have relentlessly marched to Premier League title glory with ruthless efficiency last season under Antonio Conte, but the 2017/18 campaign has posed a few more problems for the Italian and his team.
As a result, the former Juventus and Italy boss is looking to bolster his squad even further, following a summer that saw Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Davide Zappacosta, Danny Drinkwater and Alvaro Morata arrive at Stamford Bridge for a combined fee north of £200 million.
And top of Conte's shopping list is Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
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Spanish outlet Don Balon are reporting that the Blues are readying a £71 million offer for the Spain international, although Atleti insist he is not for sale.
Saul was a key figure in Spain U21's run to the final of the European Championships, this summer. Images: PA
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Niguez renewed his contract with Los Rojiblancos over the summer, with a release clause of £134 million inserted in attempt to steer potential buyers away from making an offer, although this tactic doesn't seem to have deterred the Premier League champions.
The 22-year-old has been with Atleti for his entire career, making 158 appearances and scoring 23 goals in the process, although he missed out on 2014's La Liga triumph as he was on loan at Rayo Vallecano.
Saul has claimed recently that he is happy in the Spanish capital, but with Atleti struggling for form this season and beginning to fall further behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, the young Spaniard may change his mind as the season wears on.
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Of course, if Saul is curious about life at Stamford Bridge, he could always ask Diego Costa, who returned to Atleti following a three year spell with Chelsea, although we don't imagine Costa will have many positive things to say about Antonio Conte, given the way the Spain striker left the Premier League champions, this summer.
Bearing in mind that Conte already has N'Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater at his disposal in central midfield, a bid for Niguez is slightly puzzling, despite his qualities, but may suggest that someone, possibly Fabregas, could soon be set for the Stamford Bridge exit door, with the former Arsenal and Barcelona man regularly linked with a move away from the champions.
(H/T 90 Mins)
Topics: Football News, Football, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea FC, Premier League, La Liga
