no thanks
Man City rejected Saul Niguez for Bernardo Silva exchange with Pep Guardiola opting against deal with Atletico Madrid for new Chelsea midfielder
Manchester City passed up an opportunity to sign Saul Niguez before Chelsea swooped in to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder on Deadline Day.
Saul sealed a switch to Stamford Bridge just before the 11pm deadline and the Blues have the option to make the deal permanent for £30million at the end of the season.
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According to the , Pep Guardiola rejected an exchange offer from Atletico which would have seen Saul and Bernardo Silva change clubs.
It's believed City demanded £40m for Silva, who has found himself on the sideline, as a substitute more often than not, in recent times.
Saul had also fallen out of favour at Atletico and he is hoping the Blues switch can take him back to his best.
He revealed that Thomas Tuchel has promised to play him in his best position - which is as a box-to-box central midfielder.
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“Chelsea has promised me to train in my position, to play we will see,” Saul told . “To return to certain customs that I do not do now, that is the most important reason for my decision.
“The three midfielders who are playing are at a high level, it will not be easy to play, but if I put my mind to it and fight it, I can get it.
“I’ll give it a try and see what happens. Give it my all and help Chelsea so that he [Tuchel] can see the Saúl I want to show. Not just a versatile player. They promised me that I would play in my position. It was very important.”
The no.17 shirt is currently vacant at Chelsea and Saul hinted this could be his new shirt having worn this number in his early Atletico days.
“It’s a number I had at Atletico Madrid, it’s a number I like,” said the Spaniard. “I had it at Atletico. I had it in my early days.”
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