Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says Saul Niguez is unhappy at the Spanish club as he doesn’t want to be used as a utility player.

The midfielder has been deployed in a number of different positions by Simeone but the Argentine says the player wants to be given a set position to symbolise his importance to the team:

“Last season he spoke with the club, with us about his needs and what he spoke about was the option of having a position on the pitch where he feels more important. And I consider that Saul became Saul by playing everywhere, but he or many of those around him see it as something negative.”

“He is very important for Atletico because he can play as a full-back, right-wing, midfielder, he gives us a lot of options to be able to count on him. He is a player who, in that version and playing how the coach needs him to, performs very well.”

It’s clear that Niguez has been given no such guarantees about being given a central role and that has led to the speculation this summer, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all mentioned as potential destinations for the 26-year-old.

A swap deal involving Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann was also considered but it is believed that negotiations have ground to a halt with Barca also wanting money, in addition to Niguez.

That could increase the likelihood of the Spanish international moving to the Premier League, although respected journalists still believe Liverpool are not actively pursuing him. We shall see if that changes in the coming days.