Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo insists it was Saul Niguez's decision to leave for Chelsea.

The midfielder moved to the Blues on transfer deadline day last week for a season-long loan.

Cerezo stated, "Saul wanted to leave.

"His desire was to join Chelsea, we agreed. I was not worried in the last minutes of the transfer, although the Saul deal was closed at 23.57.

"We, in turn, acquired (Antoine) Griezmann, as planned."

Chelsea took the 26-year-old on-loan for €5m with a permanent option for €35m.