---
title: "Virals: Boost for Liverpool as Saul Niguez swap deal hits the rocks"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-boost-for-liverpool-as-saul-niguez-swap-deal-hits-the-rocks/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-07-19T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-19T18:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Boost for Liverpool as Saul Niguez swap deal hits the rocks

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/19/virals-brighton-poised-to-offer-15m-for-liverpool-ace-nat-phillips/) could have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid midfielder [Saul Niguez](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/19/virals-agent-of-target-saul-niguez-has-been-contacting-liverpool/).

The Reds have been [heavily linked](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/saul-niguez-agent-speaks-out-21078576) with the Spaniard in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp goes in search of a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum.

Any hopes the Anfield club had of landing a deal seemed to fade as Barcelona offered the opportunity of a [swap deal involving Atletico favourite Antoine Greizmann](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12356402/antoine-griezmann-and-saul-niguez-barcelona-in-talks-with-atletico-madrid-over-swap-deal) making a return to the capital.

However, a fresh claim from well-invested journalist [Matteo Moretto](https://twitter.com/MatteMoretto/status/1417079107003813888), as cited by [Football Transfers](https://twitter.com/Transferzone00/status/1417079428266430472) on Twitter, would suggest that the La Liga switch could well be off the cards.

> Twitter: ![🚨](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f6a8.svg) BREAKING: Saul-Griezmann Swap deal is DEAD. The deal is extremely complicated.![🇪🇸](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f1ea-1f1f8.svg)![🇫🇷](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f1eb-1f1f7.svg) #Barca #Atletico
>
> (via @MatteMoretto![🌕](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f315.svg)) (@Transferzone00)

Saul played a [leading role](https://www.sofascore.com/player/saul-niguez/116955) last term as Diego Simeone’s side lifted the La Liga title.

The 26-year-old [scored twice and added one assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saul-niguez/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/148928) in 33 league outings taking an overall tally to [45 goals and 20 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saul-niguez/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/148928) throughout an illustrious senior club career.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Signing the [19-cap Spain ace](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saul-niguez/nationalmannschaft/spieler/148928/verein_id/3375) would certainly be a major statement of intent from the Reds this summer.

After what was a [disappointing campaign](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=363&ha=-1) as reigning champions last time out, Klopp will be desperate to add sufficient quality in order to compete once again.

Albeit the German boss is relatively well-stocked in terms of midfield numbers, both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita have [proven to be less than reliable](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/418600-jurgen-klopp-wolves-injuries-alexander-arnold-keita-oxlade-chamberlain) over the course of a season.

In stark contrast, Saul has missed just [16 matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saul-niguez/verletzungen/spieler/148928) in the last nine seasons – a remarkable record for a player with [444 club appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saul-niguez/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/148928).