Barcelona plan €110 million raid for Saúl

Barcelona are reportedly willing to pay €110 million (about $125 million) for Saúl this summer, according to AS. Their interest in Saúl is nothing new. In 2017, Barça looked very keen to sign the Spaniard, but could not acquire him before he renewed his contract and saw his buyout clause increased to €150m. If Saúl was to leave for €100 million, it would make him the most expensive Spanish player in history.

With reports of Ivan Rakitić’s potential departure for Italy, the move makes sense for Barcelona. Saúl is a player who’s proven his quality over and over again in the Spanish national team and with Atlético Madrid. A pairing of Barca’s newly signed Frenkie De Jong with Saúl in the midfield would be a formidable force.

Barcelona are not the only club eyeing Saúl. Manchester City and even Chelsea — freshly banned from making transfers until 2020 — have been monitoring his situation. Manchester City are looking for a long term replacement for Fernandinho, and Pep Guardiola has admired Saúl from afar for a while.

Saúl has been an integral part in Simeone’s squad. The 24-year-old has two goals this season and has consistently answered the call in the midfield. He’s even played at full back this season when injuries ravaged Simeone’s squad.