Barcelona will have to pay £71million for Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez – after deciding against signing him for £40m just a year ago.
The Spanish Under-21 ace is bang in form after another impressive season in La Liga and at international level.
Niguez is in the headlines again today after he struck a stunning hat-trick to fire his country into the European U21 Championship final in a 3-1 triumph over Italy.
And that has sparked Barcelona’s interest in the playmaker again after opting not to pursue a deal twelve months ago.
Now he is worth nearly DOUBLE the amount the Nou Camp giants could have landed him for as part of a clause inserted into David Villa’s transfer to Atletico.
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has met with Niguez’s representatives on THREE occasions.
They have also been in regular contact via telephone as they keep updated with his situation.
But it is going to cost them a hefty fee should they decide to launch their move.
Niguez signed a new contract at Atletico a year ago after his move to the Catalan giants collapsed – and his deal has £71m release clause.
A number of Premier League clubs are also interested in the 22-year-old.
In an attempt to keep hold of him, Atletico want to increase his release fee to £88m and plan to hold talks with him after the Euros.
Meanwhile, Niguez is focusing all his attention at present on achieving Euro joy in Poland.
He and his team-mates are now preparing to face Germany, who defeated England on penalties in the other semi, on Friday.