Transfer Talk: Atletico Re-signs Griezmann, Chelsea Secures Saul
Atletico Madrid announced they re-signed France forward Antoine Griezmann on a season-long loan from Barcelona, while Chelsea secured the services of Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on loan.
In one of the most eye-catching moves on Europe’s deadline day, Atletico secured the return of a player they sold for a reported 120 million euros ($141.68 million) in 2019.
In a club statement Atletico said the deal includes an option for either club to extend the loan arrangement by a year.
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Barcelona’s statement also added that the deal contained an obligation to buy Griezmann, with LaLiga champions Atletico also paying the player’s wages in full.
The deal had been thrown into doubt with neither side announcing the move before the midnight transfer window deadline. The league confirmed they had received all relevant documentation in time and had not granted an extension for the deal to be completed.
Chelsea signs Atletico’s Saul Niguez on loan
Chelsea secured the late deadline day loan signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
The deal was thrown into doubt as the transfer had not been confirmed by either club before the midnight transfer deadline.
Local media said the delay was caused by a problem with LaLiga’s transfer registration system, however, and the documentation had been correctly submitted in time.
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“We welcome Saul to the Club and believe he completes our squad as we compete for honours in five different competitions this season,” Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said.
“He is a proven winner, a player with huge experience and we know he will be very well-suited to the challenges that face us on all fronts in the coming year.”
The Spain international, who came through the Atletico academy after joining aged 13 and made 340 appearances for the club, joins Chelsea on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
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