El Confidencial said he was their other option instead of Coutinho
They did not want to pay the 150 million euro release fee clause
Saul Niguez's name was on the table for Barcelona's board on the last day of the transfer window according to El Confidencial journalist Antonio Sanz. He says Barcelona wanted the midfielder after being unable to pry away Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.
Atletico they knew Barcelona's plans but Saul has a release fee clause of 150 million euros. Despite not thinking Barcelona would stump up that figure they were afriad that they would turn to Saul.
However in the end although Liverpool's 200 million euro asking price was too high for Barcelona, they did not sign anybody. Coutinho is still the big objective but there's a chance Barcelona could go back for Saul in January too.
