Chelsea loanee Saul Niguez is set to return to Atletico Madrid after completing his spell at Stamford Bridge, according to reports in Spain.
The 27-year-old made 23 appearances during his time at the club, scoring a single goal against Luton Town in the FA Cup.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Saul has returned to Atletico Madrid and will stay at his parent club.
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The Blues signed Saul five minutes after deadline day in August, agreeing a €5m loan fee with an €30m option to purchase.
However, it looks unlikely that Thomas Tuchel's side will exercise their right to buy the Spaniard after an underwhelming spell in London.
The 27-year-old struggled to overtake Jorginho, N'Golo Kante or Mateo Kovacic as first choice options in midfield, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek was often preferred as a rotation option.
With an injury to Ben Chilwell in November, Saul saw some improved game time at left wing-back, providing cover to Marcos Alonso before Kenedy returned from loan in Brazil during the January transfer window.
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Now, Marca believe that the Spanish midfielder will return to his parent club and fight to get back into Diego Simeone's plans for next season.
He played 340 matches for Atletico before departing on his first spell away from the club at Chelsea.
When previously reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Saul admitted that he would have liked to play more minutes in Tuchel's team.
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"Personally, I would like to have played more but I also understand that this team won the Champions League last season so it is difficult to get into the team. I feel good and every day I’m feeling better and prepared for when the head coach needs me," he said.
His time at Chelsea was not a complete disaster, happy to play his role as a back-up player in the squad while he went on to lift the Club World cup in Abu Dhabi in February.
When asked if he would change anything about his spell at Chelsea, Saul gave an honest reply: "The only way I can change anything is by continuing to work and, when I have the opportunity, to take it because in the first months I didn’t take that opportunity. I’m focused on the work, I don’t give up and when I have the opportunity next and deliver, then I can ask a bit more of the head coach."
However, the opportunities were limited for the Atletico man as he returns to his parent club ahead of the new season.
Topics: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours
Nick Emms