Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Andre Gomes and Saul Niguez Rumours

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has his sights set on raiding La Liga as he targets Andre Gomes of Valencia and Atletico Madrid starlet Saul Niguez.

Ed Malyon of the Mirror reported the Blues had a £40 million offer for Gomes rejected, but the 22-year-old is expected to depart the Mestalla after Los Che failed to qualify for Europe following a poor campaign under former coach Gary Neville.

Conte expects former club Juventus to compete for the Portugal international—who has impressed at UEFA Euro 2016—but it is Chelsea who have made a concrete move for the talented young star, according to Malyon.

Here is a video of the midfielder in action:

Gomes struggled for form last season as Valencia lost position in the Spanish Primera Division, but the midfielder featured in 33 matches in La Liga and Europe, according to WhoScored.com.

Malyon wrote Valencia could be waiting for "a bumper fee" from Juve if Conte's former team sell Paul Pogba for a world-record fee to Manchester United.

However, Spanish daily Marca reported Real Madrid have now entered the race for Gomes' signature:

Chelsea could also target Atletico's versatile talent Saul if the player departs the Spanish capital during the current transfer window.

Spanish publication Sport (h/t Richard Amofa of the Telegraph) claimed agent Jorge Mendes is "desperate" to see the player switch to a Premier League club and is in discussions with Chelsea and United. Mendes owns a 40 per cent stake in the 21-year-old and would benefit from seeing Saul move to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. 

The dynamo has the capability to play across all the midfield positions, effective as both a defensive and attacking entity.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

However, Saul recently pledged his allegiance to Atleti, telling AS (h/t the Sun's Anthony Chapman): "I’m fine in Madrid, I play often and I’m happy. Atletico is the club where I intend to stay."

Saul had a breakout campaign last term as his club reached the Champions League final, appearing in 44 games in La Liga and Europe, per WhoScored.com.

Both Gomes and Saul would be ideal additions for the Blues as Conte tries to drag the club back up the league.

However, Chelsea also need to inject experience into their options, and adding two burgeoning talents into proceedings might be a risk early in the new manager's tenure.

Saul appears destined to be a superstar in the near future and will become another top talent in the Mendes stable headed by Cristiano Ronaldo.

His ability to play anywhere on the pitch makes him a unique prospect, and Chelsea would be wise to prioritise him above the acquisition of Gomes—who blew hot and cold last year.