Chelsea have contacted Georginio Wijnaldum in recent hours over a deal, according to Foot Mercato.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso wants a midfielder after Enzo Fernandez left the Stamford Bridge club for Manchester City yesterday.
The Blues attempted a late move for Everton’s James Garner, while a deal for AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara fell through despite a €55 million agreement.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall was also a target for Chelsea, but the London club ended the summer transfer window without a midfield signing.
They are now looking at free agents and Wijnaldum has emerged as a target.
The 35-year-old Dutchman has been without a club since leaving Al-Ettifaq in June.
A return to the Premier League could appeal to the former Liverpool star, and Chelsea are in talks with him.
Wijnaldum made 217 top-flight appearances in England playing for Newcastle United and the Reds.
The former Netherlands international won the league title and Champions League with Liverpool, and he could be a decent addition to the Blues midfield given his wealth of experience.
Wijnaldum is unlikely to be a regular in Alonso’s starting XI, but he is capable of providing quality cover from the bench.
He also has an eye for goals and Chelsea could do with such a player in the middle of the park.
Wijnaldum bagged 17 goals and provided seven assists in 34 matches for the Saudi Pro League club last term, leaving after 38 goals and 17 assists in 101 appearances.
He left the Premier League with 27 goals and 16 assists under his belt in 217 games, and it appears that he has one more stint in England.