Manchester City were given the chance to sign midfielder Saul Niguez – but Pep Guardiola decided to turn down the opportunity.
That’s according to a report from the Daily Star, who claim that the new Chelsea signing was actually offered elsewhere too.
Atletico Madrid seemingly wanted to shift Niguez on before the transfer deadline, having brought in new midfielder Rodrigo De Paul this summer.
They were keen on a swap deal with City, targeting Bernardo Silva for a move to Spanish capital in exchange for Saul.
Pep Guardiola intervened as he had no interest in bringing in Niguez, whilst Silva was valued at a straight £40million cash offer.
With City saying no, Chelsea swooped in and signed Saul on loan with a view to a £30million permanent move next summer.
Saul, 26, has been a key man for Atleti in recent times, racking up 340 appearances, 43 goals and 20 assists in his time for Diego Simeone’s men.
A hard worker in midfielder, Guardiola seemingly feels he has enough in that area of the pitch with Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and even Silva himself capable of playing centrally.
A boyhood Atletico fan, leaving won’t have been easy for Saul, but he may soon have the chance to prove Guardiola wrong for rejecting him when City face Chelsea on the 25th of September.
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