Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has claimed the club are ‘kicking him out’ as he closes in on a switch to Barcelona, according to reports.
The two teams are in advanced talks over the midfielder’s future that will see Antoine Griezmann move in the opposite direction to Camp Nou.
The La Liga giants are desperate to trim their wage bill and Griezmann currently remains one of the highest earners on £345,000-per-week.
Saul has spent his entire senior career with Atletico Madrid after making his debut in 2012. And the fan favourite has played 337 games for the club having won the league title, Copa del Rey and Europa League twice.
As news spread around the club of Saul’s potential exit, fans were desperate to convince him to stay. Stepping off the team bus as they stepped up pre-season preparations, supporters were chanting ‘Saul, stay’.
As he went over to offer his signature, one lady asked the midfielder whether he felt sad over his exit A man also followed up with the comment ‘this is your home, stay.’
According to El Desmarque, the Spain international responded: “They’re kicking me out of here, man.”
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The transfer was revealed by Fabrizio Romano, who wrote: “Barcelona and Atletico are in advanced talks for a swap deal between Saúl and Griezmann!
“Both players gave the green light in the last hours. “Barça and Atléti now negotiating on price tags. Barça want money included. Liverpool and Chelsea keen on Saúl if the deal will collapse.”
