Chelsea plotting club-record move for Atletico Madrid star?

Premier League holders Chelsea are preparing a club-record bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez. The Spain international has notched one goal and one assist for Atleti this campaign.

According to Don Balon, the 22-year-old has emerged as a transfer target for Antonio Conte who is keen to bolster his options in the centre of the park.

The Blues are willing to pay up a fee of a club-record £71m for the Spaniard's services, although it is suggested that Diego Simeone has no plans of parting ways with the midfielder.

Niguez recently inked a five-year extension with last season's Champions League semi-finalists, and this will keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano until the summer of 2026.

He has a £134m release clause inserted into his long-term deal, and the Spanish giants are confident that this will ward off any future interest from the English champions.

Conte bolstered his midfield options in the summer with the signings of Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater, but the latter has yet to make an appearance due to a calf problem.