Liverpool fans react as reports claim £40m Chelsea man could depart in January

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A report from Spanish newspaper Marca claim that Chelsea are planning to send midfielder Saul Niguez back to Atletico Madrid in January. The Spain international has struggled to shine under Thomas Tuchel in West London. Liverpool fans have responded on Twitter, wanting their club to nab him.

On deadline day in the summer, Chelsea supposedly pulled off a bit of a coup – or so it was seen. The Atletico Madrid midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge on loan for a fee of £4.5million, with a permanent clause included, worth £40million – as per reports. A total of £44.5million, then.

It was seen as a coup given that Niguez, who is just 26, has already clocked up an enormous 343 appearances for Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone. He has scored 43 goals in that time, laying on 20 assists. In that time, he has won two Europa League titles and of course, last season’s La Liga.

So, a move to Chelsea was seen as a bit of genius by Chelsea. Mundo Deportivo reported in the summer that Liverpool were looking at Niguez, but a move never materialised. The Reds lost Gini Wijnaldum on a free transfer in the summer, and Niguez was supposedly eyed as a replacement.

However, he ended up at Chelsea. But things have not gone according to plan Niguez – managing just five appearances. Just 47 minutes of action has come his way in the Premier League – across two substitute outings. A new report from Marca states that Chelsea could cancel his loan in January.

The Blues are planning to cancel his loan – with the player hooked at half-time in his debut against Aston Villa. But Atletico state there is no clause in the loan deal that will allow Niguez to return to Diego Simeone’s side. Liverpool, meanwhile, need a midfielder – yet to replace Wijnaldum.

Liverpool fans on Niguez: Reds would have to wait until summer

Not only did Liverpool lose Wijnaldum, but things are getting worse. Harvey Elliott is likely to be out until the new year, suffering a dislocated ankle against Leeds. Naby Keita is now injured, and when he returns, he will be jetting off to represent Guinea at the African Cup of Nations.

Xherdan Shaqiri has moved to pastures new, at Lyon. These midfield issues have highlighted that Liverpool must sign a midfielder – but for Niguez, Liverpool will not be able to get him until the summer. That is because Niguez has already played for two clubs this season – Chelsea and Atletico.

As stated, Marca say Atletico are confident there is no clause in his loan that will allow him to go. While Liverpool might need a midfielder in January, they might be better off waiting until the summer if they feel Niguez is the man to sign. Indeed, Niguez might have to wait until the summer anyway.

Liverpool fans would love Niguez – even though they would not be able to sign him in January. Could they get a better tune out of him than Chelsea have? Jurgen Klopp has a track record of doing so.