An agreement had already been reached on a four-year contract, and the clubs had also finalized the deal, but Saúl Ñíguez will not be moving to Trabzonspor after all. The midfielder decided at the last moment to abandon the move to the Turkish side.
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The 30-year-old Saúl Ñíguez was all set to board a flight to Turkey this Monday to officially seal his move to Trabzonspor.
The Turkish club had reached an agreement with both Atlético Madrid and the player himself, finalizing what seemed to be a straightforward transfer. Saúl was expected to sign a four-year contract, and everything appeared aligned for him to start a new chapter in his career. However, in a dramatic last-minute decision, the Spanish midfielder has opted not to proceed with the move, leaving Trabzonspor empty-handed and his own future once again shrouded in uncertainty.
After lengthy discussions with his family and close circle, Saúl decided to stay in Spain, halting a transfer that many thought was already a foregone conclusion. Trabzonspor, who had been working for weeks to secure his signature, publicly confirmed the collapse of the deal through an official statement on their website, acknowledging the breakdown despite having everything in place. "Although all agreements were made with both Atlético Madrid and Saúl Ñíguez, the player has informed us of his decision not to continue with the process," the club wrote. Shortly after, Saúl used his personal X (formerly Twitter) account to briefly confirm the news, thanking Trabzonspor for their interest and the respect shown during negotiations, but clarifying that the move would not happen.
This sudden U-turn represents yet another chapter in the complicated recent career of Saúl, once regarded as one of the brightest midfield talents in European football. Having emerged from Atlético Madrid's renowned academy, Saúl became a fixture in Diego Simeone’s lineups for several years, known for his tactical versatility, relentless energy, and an impressive knack for scoring in big games, including memorable performances in the Champions League. Over the years, he accumulated an impressive 427 official appearances for the club, helping Atlético to win La Liga, Europa League titles, UEFA Super Cups, and consistently compete at the highest level in Europe.
But in recent seasons, Saúl’s prominence within the Atlético setup has dwindled. A dip in form, combined with tactical shifts under Simeone, saw the midfielder slowly lose his starting place. His versatility once his greatest asset seemed to work against him, as he was frequently deployed in multiple positions without ever cementing one as his own. Seeking more consistent playing time and a clearer role, Saúl was loaned to Chelsea in 2021. However, his stint in the Premier League was largely disappointing, marked by struggles to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football, resulting in limited appearances and little impact.
Last season, Saúl returned to Spain on loan with Sevilla, hoping to reignite his career in familiar surroundings. While his time there was an improvement compared to his spell in England, it still fell short of re-establishing him as one of Spain’s premier midfielders. Consequently, Atlético Madrid has continued to explore opportunities to offload him permanently, as he remains out of Simeone’s tactical plans heading into the new season.
For Trabzonspor, securing Saúl would have been a major statement of intent. The Turkish club, which finished seventh in the Süper Lig last season, is determined to rebuild and challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses such as Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş. Adding a player of Saúl’s pedigree and experience was seen as a transformative signing that could lift the squad's overall quality and leadership. Fans were eager at the prospect of seeing an established Spanish international don the Trabzonspor shirt, and the media in Turkey had already begun to hype the arrival.
The collapse of the deal is a significant blow to Trabzonspor’s transfer plans. The club will now need to pivot quickly to alternative targets to reinforce the midfield before the window closes. Reports suggest that Trabzonspor had been preparing an extensive unveiling and that the club’s management viewed the Saúl signing as a cornerstone of their summer strategy.
As for Saúl, his decision to back out raises many questions about his immediate future. With Atlético Madrid making it clear that he is not part of their core squad, his playing time in the coming months looks uncertain unless another opportunity arises. While he remains a contracted player at Atlético, the likelihood of meaningful minutes under Simeone appears slim. The midfielder might now wait for other offers, possibly from La Liga clubs or leagues where his technical style could be better suited, such as Italy or even the United States.
Some speculate that personal and family considerations played a decisive role in his last-minute change of heart. Moving to Turkey, away from his familiar environment, may have raised concerns that ultimately convinced him to stay closer to home at least for now. Saúl has always maintained a close bond with his family and the city of Madrid, factors that may continue to influence his career choices.
With the transfer window still open, Saúl has time to reassess his options, but the clock is ticking. Whether he finds a new destination or decides to fight for a place in Madrid remains to be seen. One thing is certain: for a player once tipped to become one of the best midfielders of his generation, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining the next and possibly decisive stage of his career.
Updated: 02:59, 21 Jul 2025
