Saúl and Lucas both linked with moves away from Atlético Madrid

It might be quicker at this stage of the season to write articles about who is NOT linked with a move away from the club. From Godín to Griezmann and now Saúl and Lucas Hernandez, it doesn’t rain but it pours at Atlético Madrid ever since the loss to Juventus.

Saúl is being linked to Manchester City and ESPN say a deal is close. They quote a source saying he simply can’t stay at Atlético Madrid any longer. He was reportedly one of the players most miffed by Griezmann’s bumper deal and that seems to be causing problems in the squad. It was also reported earlier in the season that Diego Costa wasn’t happy. Thomas Partey is also linked with a move to Man City with Pep Guardiola seemingly doing his hunting in his old stomping ground. Thomas is way down the pecking order and it wouldn’t take much for City to double or even triple his wages given his age and projection.

Saúl is the fourth highest paid player at Atlético but he still only gets about a quarter of what Griezmann is on. He has been poor this season too and while ESPN report that news, Sport Witness say they have been told a deal is not imminent and there has been no contact between City and the player’s representatives.

Meanwhile, Lucas to Bayern is reportedly a done deal according to Foot Mercato, which the folks over at Bavarian Football Works have also written about.

“Bayern still have to pay €35m to Stuttgart to finalize the transfer of Benjamin Pavard to Munich, and the Bavarians are allegedly ready to pay €80m for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe and another €30m for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi. A transfer of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig is reportedly also in the works,” they say but Bayern are getting ready to rejuvenate their squad and a World Cup winning left-back would be a good start at the back. He’s also versatile, fast and strong.