The day Barcelona could have signed Saul Niguez for 45 million euros
Barça had an option to sign Saul due to the deal they'd done for David Villa
Saúl Ñíguez renewed his terms with Atleti and may do so again this summer
Barcelona had the chance to sign Atletico Madrid and Spain U21 star Saul Niguez one year ago. Barça, with a preferential option on the midfielder, could have signed him for 45 million euros, but the opportunity passed them by. Now, Saul is worth double (80 million euros) and Atletico want to increase his release clause to 100 million euros when the UEFA U21 Championships ends.
The Catalan club -- thanks to a clause agreed when they sold David Villa to Atletico in 2013 -- has a preferential option on Saul and right-back Javier Manquillo. Barça had the option to equal any offer Saul received from Atletico and sign him for his release clause. At the time, Saul, who was out of contract in 2020, had a release clause of 45 million euros.
In the end, Saul agreed a new contract with Atletico until 2021, Barça didn't follow through their option and his release clause increased to 80 million euros. Saul wanted to feel valued, Atletico understood and the midfielder remained at the Rojiblancos. The 45 million euro clause was now history.
NEW DEAL
Now, Atletico Madrid, banned by FIFA from signing players this summer, want to give Saul another new contract to keep him away from Europe's elite. They want to sort it out before the season begins and raise his release clause to 100 million euros. Saul, meanwhile, is really happy where he is in Madrid.
