Chelsea and Liverpool set to miss out on Saul Niguez

Chelsea and Liverpool appear set to miss out on signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Saul is free to leave Atletico this summer following the recent arrival of Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese.

The Blues and Reds are interested in his services, but COPE claims that the Barcelona are clear favourites to sign him.

The Catalan giants have proposed a swap deal for Niguez with Antoine Griezmann moving in the opposite direction.

Both players have given the green light for the transfer. The Blaugrana want some money added for the deal to go through.

The Blaugrana have been active in the transfer market this summer, and have signed as many as four players to date.

Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal have all joined the club, but can't be registered.

The Blaugrana need to lower their wage bill by €175m to meet the new La Liga salary cap. Griezmann's exit would provide some relief.

The club would save €12m in wages and €60-70m in amortisation.