Man City had the chance to sign Saul Niguez and once they rejected him, only then did Chelsea manage to sign him, as per an exclusive report by Daily Star.
Atletico wanted to bring Bernardo Silva in a swap deal to Spain and were willing to send Saul the other way. But manager Pep Guardiola refused this arrangement, following which the 26-year-old joined Chelsea
The report claims: “Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola turned down the chance to sign Saul Niguez on Deadline Day.
“Niguez, 25, joined Chelsea on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid just before last week’s transfer deadline.
“However, that deal only came about after Atletico had tried – and failed – to flog him to City as part of a cash-plus-player swoop for Bernardo Silva.”
Why did Man City refuse to sign Saul Niguez?
As per the report, Pep Guardiola wanted around £40million upfront for the sale of Silva while Atletico Madrid were only keen on a swap deal.
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Also, the Man City boss had no eagerness to add Saul Niguez to his squad.
The manager has two apt central midfielders in the form of Fernandinho and Rodri so it would have made no sense to add more competition in that department.
But eventually, it was Chelsea’s gain as they managed to scoop up Saul in a loan deal.
Bernardo Silva has fallen down the pecking order at Man City and he would have been more than happy to join Atletico Madrid. But now he must wait for a few more months before trying to secure an exit.
