---
title: "Barcelona reportedly prepared to rival Liverpool’s €40m offer for Atletico Madrid midfielder"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/barcelona-rival-liverpool-for-saul/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Sterling"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-07-13T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-13T18:00:00Z"
---

# Barcelona reportedly prepared to rival Liverpool’s €40m offer for Atletico Madrid midfielder

Liverpool are reportedly looking for a replacement for Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.

The 30-year-old [joined French giants PSG](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/11/liverpool-wijnaldum-psg-departure/) this month after his contract with the Reds came to an end.

Following his departure, a more than worrying whole has been left in the club’s midfield.

The Dutchman [had become a key component](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jurgen-klopp/eingesetzteSpieler/trainer/118/plus/0?saison_id=&verein_id=31&liga=&wettbewerb_id=) for Jurgen Klopp and his midfield over the last few years.

A number of players have been linked to the club including [Youri Tielemans](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/15/liverpool-youri-tielemans-rumours/), [Renato Sanches](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/12/liverpool-renato-sanches-stance/), and [Saúl Ñíguez](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/12/virals-liverpool-hold-long-standing-admiration-in-saul-niguez/).

However, it is the latter whose rumours have picked up hugely over the last few days.

It had been reported just a few days ago that the club were going to [submit a €40million bid for Saúl](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/09/liverpool-saul-niguez-bid/).

Now, it seems as though the Reds are set to face some tough competition if they hope to sign the Spaniard.

According to [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/atletico-madrid/20210711/410482649981/cuando-saul-tenia-medio-pie-en-liverpool-aparecio-el-barca.html), via [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-mbappe-saul-24510496), Barcelona are looking to hijack Liverpool’s pursuit of Saúl.

The report suggests that the Catalan club are hoping to include Antoine Griezmann as part of a deal.

This is likely due to their financial issues, with them almost [£1.2billion in debt according to recent reports](https://www.goal.com/en/news/barcelona-financial-report-reveals-considerable-debt-that/xhdolg8mesqj1q8diwtu3d8co).

Due to that, the club are reduced to a swap deal if they hope to sign Saùl, but their troubles don’t end there.

It is also reported that Barcelona are [currently unable to register any of their new signings](https://www.football365.com/news/barcelona-cannot-register-new-signings-salary-limit-turmoil) due to their financial troubles.

These aspects alone put Liverpool in a healthy position if they are prepared to increase their opening offer.

Atletico have already [turned down the club’s first bid of £35million](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20210713/410512129832/saul-atletico-prisa-trueque.html) (€40m) according to recent rumours.

If the club are ready to increase their offer, then there is no stopping the club and Atletico from completing a deal.

Their [financial situation may not be as healthy as previous years](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/08/liverpool-summer-finance-struggles/), but it is certainly better than Barcelona’s.