Arsenal are also said to be keen on the midfielder.
Check in to Chelsea vs Stoke City
Premier League giants Chelsea are hoping to replace departing wide man Juan Mata with another Spanish star, Atletico de Madrid youngster Saul Niguez, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
Read more Chelsea FC news.
The future of the Blues’ brilliant Spain international is in some doubt after Mata has struggled to win a regular starting berth under returning head coach Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge so far in this campaign.
So much so that recent rumours have suggested that Mata’s days at the Bridge now appear to be numbered, with both Atletico and Premier League champions Manchester United said to be interested in signing the winger.
And it looks like the self-styled Special One may have already found a replacement for his diminutive Spanish playmaker in the form of compatriot Niguez, a youngster who is already making all the headlines back in his homeland.
The Spain Under-21 international is currently out on loan with La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano, where the 19-year-old has so far managed to register one goal and one assist in his 18 league outings in the Spanish capital.
However, with a contract at the Vincente Calderion that runs until June 2016 and a buyout clause in that deal worth £20m, the west Londoners know the player will not come cheap.
SEE ALSO: Best Football Manager wonderkids