Chelsea have signed Saul Niguez on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid with a £30 million ($41m) option to buy.
The Blues have brought the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge after a turbulent and protracted day of talks that saw the deal described as ‘dead’ and then subsequently revived.
In fact, Thomas Tuchel’s side left it so late, they only completed the deal sheet for the Spain international with two minutes to go before the transfer deadline.
The loan move comes after Tuchel requested that the Blues add another midfielder to compete with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
Saul has long been considered the best solution, with the loan giving the Blues a chance to ‘try before they buy’ as they did with Kovacic from Real Madrid.
The move is hoped to rekindle the Spain international’s best form after an underwhelming season last year despite Atleti winning the league.
