Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Chelsea’s 2026 summer transfer window did not end the way they would have hoped.
Following Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City, Chelsea were desperate to sign a new midfielder and almost landed Lamine Camara.
Unfortunately for Xabi Alonso, AS Monaco decided to pull the plug on Camara’s transfer at the last second.
Nevertheless, it was still a good transfer window for Chelsea, largely because of the amount of money they were able to make from sales.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Liam Delap was Chelsea’s best sale during transfer window
One player who was sold was Liam Delap, who joined Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £50m.
Given that Chelsea paid just £30m for Delap last summer and the striker only scored one goal during the 2025/26 Premier League season, that is incredible business.
As a matter of fact, in terms of outgoings, it was Chelsea’s best deal of the summer. To make a profit from a forward who scored just two goals in 41 appearances is sensational.
Following the arrivals of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha, Delap, in effect, became Chelsea’s fourth-choice striker. Ultimately, they made a lot of money from a player who wouldn’t have even made their matchday squad this season.
Liam Delap of Nottingham Forest
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez sale was also a great deal financially
In the end, Chelsea also did well to get £125m for Fernandez. At one stage, it was reported that City only wanted to pay £85m for the Argentine.
The Blues ended up receiving significantly more than that and have made a profit having signed Fernandez for £107m in 2023.
Because Chelsea were unable to replace Fernandez, you can argue that it was not great business on the pitch. But financially, again, the club have done well here.
Going forward, Chelsea probably will need to bring in a new midfielder, but the Camara ship may have sailed now. Chelsea’s relationship with Monaco is “completely broken” after the debacle on deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.