Saul's move from Texas to Chelsea is not a risk (1:39).
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reached a deal to loan Saul Niguez to Chelsea for the current season. The two clubs announced this on Tuesday.
ESPN has been informed by sources that the deal includes an option to purchase next summer for a fixed fee.
Transfer Talk LIVE: All the deals and rumours
- When does it close?
- Watch ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (only in the U.S.)
- Do you not have ESPN? Get instant access
The transfer was not confirmed by either club prior to midnight CET.
Local media reported that the delay was due to a problem in LaLiga's transfer registry system. However, the documentation had been submitted correctly on time.
Marina Granovskaia, Chelsea director, stated that Saul is a great addition to the Club. "We are happy to welcome him to the Club. We will be competing in five competitions this season for honours," Marina Granovskaia added.
"He is a winner and a player with a lot of experience. We know he will be able to handle all the challenges we face in the next year."
ESPN reported that Chelsea are in talks with Saul. Manchester United also expressed interest in the Spain midfielder. He has been at Atletico for the past 13 years after he was a youth player.
United decided not to pursue a deal and Chelsea was left free to sign their second major signing after Romelu Lukaku, who joined Inter Milan for 115 million.
Sources told ESPN that Saul was offered to Barcelona earlier in the summer in a swap deal with Antoine Griezmann, but they were unable to reach an agreement.
This story used information from Reuters.