Chelsea could still sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez ahead of this weekend's clash against Arsenal.
Paul Pogba of AS Monaco during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Paul Pogba is a free agent(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Chelsea could be inclined to dabble in the free agent market following a disappointing end to the summer transfer window. On Tuesday night, Monaco sold the Blues down the river when they suddenly blocked Lamine Camara from swapping Stade Louis II for Stamford Bridge at the eleventh hour.
football.london understands that Chelsea had reached a written agreement with the Ligue 1 outfit for the 22-year-old midfielder worth £47m. But when Monaco believed that they could cash in on Folarin Balogun instead, whose switch to Everton had collapsed earlier in the day, they cut ties with senior officials in west London.
Ironically, at the eleventh hour, the Toffees deal fell through for a second time, and the Ligue 1 outfit, with a newly-damaged reputation, were left empty-handed.
Although it's understood that higher-ups at Chelsea were furious and had the chance to terminate Enzo Fernandez's transfer to Manchester City, they decided to honour their word, unlike Monaco.
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Although the Blues are £125m richer, Xabi Alonso has lost a body in the middle of the park. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at five free agents Chelsea could sign to replace Fernandez.
Paul Pogba
Last month, Monaco terminated Pogba's contract, cutting his stay at Stade Louis II short by 12 months because objectives set by both parties had only been 'partially achieved'. The 33-year-old midfielder, whose previous contract was set to run until June 2027, only featured six times, five of which came as a substitute, during an injury-plagued campaign.
Shortly before being released, Pogba suffered a hamstring problem during a pre-season training camp in England. As it stands, the severity of the problem remains unclear, but it's clearly delayed any potential move, having previously been linked with a move to clubs in the MLS.
Paul Pogba during his brief spell at Monaco last season.
Paul Pogba during his brief spell at Monaco last season.(Image: Getty Images)
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Marcelo Brozovic
Brozovic left Al Nassr following the expiration of his contract at Al Nassr earlier this summer. Although the 33-year-old midfielder, who played a key role in helping Cristiano Ronaldo win the Saudi Pro League last season, would be a good addition to the Chelsea squad on paper, he could be nursing an injury, too.
At the end of last term, Brozovic suffered a groin problem, missing the last game of the campaign as well as the final of the AFC Champions League 2. If the Blues were to receive assurances regarding his fitness, the decorated Croatia international and Inter Milan legend could be a coup.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring for Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring for Al-Nassr.(Image: Photo by ABDULAZIZ ALNOMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Yves Bissouma
Bissouma left Tottenham Hotspur following the expiry of his contract at the end of June. The 30-year-old midfielder, whom the Lilywhites signed from Brighton for £30m during the summer of 2022, just didn't have the desired impact in north London, and his final season was plagued with injuries.
Yves Bissouma of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Yves Bissouma formely of Tottenham Hotspur.(Image: Getty)
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Renato Sanches
According to widespread reports, Paris Saint-Germain terminated Sanches' contract on Tuesday night, making him available to sign on a free transfer. The 29-year-old midfielder was once dubbed a superstar when he burst onto the scene and helped Portugal win the Euros in 2016.
Sanches was crowned the young player of the tournament award, earning himself a £27.5m transfer from Benfica to Bayern Munich. A year later, having struggled to live up to expectations, he was shipped out on loan to Swansea before joining Lille in a desperate effort to revive his career.
Neymar, Lionel Messi and Renato Sanches
Renato Sanches signed for PSG in 2022 and played alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar(Image: Getty Images)
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Having shown promising signs at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Sanches was signed by PSG. A year later, after an injury-plagued season in the French capital, he spent the next three seasons on loan at Roma, Benfica, and Panathinaikos, which, again, were plagued by injuries.
The Parisians have since reportedly parted ways with the former Portuguese wonderkid...
Tanguy Ndombele
Ndombele left Nice following the expiry of his contract in June. The 29-year-old midfielder famously joined Tottenham from Lyon for a club-record fee of £63m during the summer of 2019 before falling widely short of expectations.
Tanguy Ndombele has had a difficult time at Nice since leaving Tottenham Hotspur
Tanguy Ndombele has had a difficult time at Nice since leaving Tottenham Hotspur
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He spent the final years of his contract with the Lilywhites out on loan at his former club, Napoli and Galatasaray, before joining Nice on a free transfer. Ndombele suffered a groin problem towards the end of his first season on the French south coast, ruling him out until December of the following campaign.
The France international never managed to rebuild his fitness, making a handful of appearances from the bench before he was released...