Several reports, including one from the Madrid-based publication Diario AS, suggest that the player's transfer to the Premier League is "imminent," and that Manchester United is ahead of Chelsea in the battle to sign him.
In his professional career, the 26-year-old has spent his whole time with the Spanish capital club, but he has fallen out of favor in the previous year, appearing in only 22 of a potential 38 league games last season.
Because Saul was not selected for Spain's Euro 2020 team, and because Rodrigo de Paul joined Atleti's ranks this summer, the club is already prepared for the possibility of his leaving in the near future.
There has previously been talking about the midfielder's future at Los Rojiblancos, as well as a prospective transfer to Manchester United.
As a result of Nemanja Matic and Fred's struggles against Southampton in Sunday's Premier League tie, United fans want the club to sign a midfielder to bolster their ranks. Scott McTominay is now the only other option in that position.
Those suspicions gained momentum earlier this month when Saul reacted to a social media post from David De Gea, a former club and international colleague.
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The United goalkeeper shared a photo of himself back in action for the Red Devils against Leeds in the Premier League opener, and the midfielder replied with three clapping hands emojis on his Instagram account.
The posting might, of course, have been misconstrued as nothing more than a kind gesture between friends - but it served to highlight Saul's connection with De Gea and spark a new round of transfer rumors.
Despite the fact that Saul has subsequently gone on to start in each of Diego Simeone's team's first two games of the season, a video emerged earlier this summer suggesting that the player believed he was being pressured towards a transfer this summer.
"They (the club) are throwing me out of here, dude," Saul says in footage obtained by Spanish media source El Desmarque as he seems to be boarding a team bus.
According to his agent, Jonathan Barnett, who represents a number of players including Gareth Bale, the player has "several alternatives" for where he wants to go this summer. There had been speculation that the midfielder may join Barcelona, but that has since died down.
The following is what Barnett told Diario AS: "Nothing has been determined, and Saul has as many choices for staying as he has for leaving."
"Saul will make decisions about his future based on what is best for Saul."
Saul has made 339 appearances for Atletico Madrid in the first-team squad during the course of a decade with the club, and he has developed a close relationship with manager Diego Simeone, with whom he has played regularly for seven seasons.
In recent months, the Argentine coach has acknowledged that the player may possibly leave the club in the next 12 to 18 months.
Simeone stated in an interview with Diario AS a month ago: "I've spoken with him, and we've agreed that we can't ignore the rumors and chatter that are going around.
"If he stays, he must continue to work in the same manner as before, and if he goes, the door will be opened in the most efficient manner. After eight years of being together, I believe we both gave him all we had as coaches and everything he possessed as a footballer.
"He must work hard and not give anything away in a competitive midfield with many other players, and if he is forced to go, we send him a huge embrace, wish him the best with the lads who gave us life, and promise to continue being friends as we have done in the past.
"It doesn't matter if it's to Barcelona or wherever."
The Atletico Madrid president went on to say: "Last season, he (Saul) spoke with the club and with us about his requirements, and one of the things he mentioned was the possibility of playing at a position on the field where he feels more significant.
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