Manchester City turned down the chance to snap up Saul Niguez, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
Chelsea completed a pre-deadline deal to take the Spain midfielder to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid.
He has joined on a season-long loan with a view to completing a permanent move to the club next summer.
Niguez’s arrival gives Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel even more options in midfield, where he was already able to call upon Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
It is claimed that Niguez could have ended up at the Etihad Stadium instead had City accepted a proposal from Atletico, who apparently offered Niguez as part of an exchange deal involving Bernardo Silva.
The Star say City boss Pep Guardiola was not interested in the deal.
Either way, the highly rated Niguez is relishing his chance to shine in the Premier League.
He told Chelsea TV: “I’ve spent 15 years at Atletico Madrid – it’s my home – and then, when the opportunity to join Chelsea came up, I couldn’t turn it down.
“The last day of the transfer window was crazy but in the end I could come here, as we all were hoping, so I have to seize this chance.”
You might also like:
- Chelsea linked with ex-City man Sane
