Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Look at Saul Niguez Amid Contact Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez and have made some form of contact, but the Spain international wants to stay with Los Rojiblancos.

According to AS (via Sport Witness), Saul is one of the targets for the Gunners in a massive summer overhaul, but his €150 million buyout clause―roughly £130 million―would make a transfer next to impossible.

On top of that, the player would prefer to stay in Madrid, having spent his entire professional career with Atletico.

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The 23-year-old was originally a member of Real Madrid's academy before crossing over to their rivals, where he has steadily developed into one of La Liga's most complete midfielders.

Saul is mostly known for his impeccable work rate and tremendous range, two attributes that make him a perfect fit for Diego Simeone's team. He's a favourite of the manager and has started 30 of the team's 31 La Liga matches this season.

While he's a defensive standout, he can do plenty of damage at the other end of the pitch as well:

Saul was heavily linked with Manchester United in the past, and according to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday, they scouted him earlier this season as well.

He only signed a new long-term contract last summer, though, and in a sign of loyalty to his club, he extended his deal all the way to 2026. That gives Los Rojiblancos a ton of leverage, especially combined with his enormous exit clause.

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While transfer fees have gone up tremendously the last few years, £130 million is a massive sum for a midfielder―especially one who is known more for his work rate than his goals. Saul has age on his side and could be a great long-term investment, but a club such as Arsenal will always seek a more manageable price.

Coupled with his seeming eagerness to stay in Madrid, it's hard to see how the Gunners would pull this off.