Saúl Ñíguez Cancels Trabzonspor Move at Last Minute

Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez will not join Trabzonspor as planned, even though a four-year deal was agreed upon and his flight to Turkey was already booked. The transfer negotiations have been called off after the player made a late decision due to family matters.

WHAT CHANGED?

Trabzonspor had reached an agreement with Saúl to sign him on a four-year contract until 2028. The former Atlético Madrid star, who recently completed a loan stint at Sevilla, had concluded negotiations and scheduled medical arrangements. However, just before heading to Turkey, Saúl chose to halt the deal for family reasons. Both parties have now confirmed that the transfer is officially canceled and will not be revisited.

IMPACT ON TRABZONSPOR’S PLANS

Saúl’s signing was expected to add experience and quality to Trabzonspor’s midfield as the club aimed to strengthen for the upcoming season. Trabzonspor finished last season in fourth place in the Turkish Süper Lig, trailing the league winners Galatasaray by 18 points. They are set to begin their 2025/26 campaign aiming to narrow the gap to the top three. Losing out on a player of Saúl’s caliber may prompt the team to seek alternatives quickly, with their first league match against newly promoted Bodrumspor approaching.

SAÚL’S FUTURE NOW UNCERTAIN

Saúl, 30, spent last season on loan at Sevilla, playing in 26 La Liga matches, scoring one goal, and providing six assists. His contract with Atlético Madrid was nearing its end, and his future options are now uncertain after withdrawing from the Trabzonspor move. His next decision will be closely monitored by clubs seeking experienced midfield talent. Atlético Madrid themselves continue their squad rebuilding process after a busy summer of departures, and they will face a key early test in their opening La Liga fixture against newly-promoted Elche.