Chelsea's bid to sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid before Tuesday's transfer deadline has reportedly collapsed.
The Champions League holders were thought to be closing in on a loan deal for the midfielder and had reportedly reached an agreement with Atletico, pending a final fee for a permanent deal being settled.
However, 90min reports that talks between Chelsea and Saul have now broken down after manager Thomas Tuchel was unable to give the Spaniard assurances over playing time at Stamford Bridge.
Saul has been a key member of Diego Simeone's side at Atletico Madrid since being promoted to the first team in 2012, but he has been told that he is free to leave this summer.
Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, having held a long-standing interest in his signature and made the signing of a new midfielder one of their top priorities this summer.
However, the unexpected return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford on Friday means that the Red Devils are now unlikely to be able to afford another high-profile signing without first offloading a number of players.
Saul therefore looks likely to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano after all, extending his stay at a club he joined as a youth player in 2008.
The Spain international has made 339 appearances for the senior team, including 41 last season as Atletico clinched the La Liga title.
Barney Corkhill
