Chelsea’s deadline day was defined by one departure and one collapse.
Enzo Fernandez left Stamford Bridge for Manchester City in a £125 million deal, reuniting with former Blues boss Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium.
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The Argentina international’s exit left Xabi Alonso needing a direct replacement in midfield, and Chelsea believed they had found one in Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
A £47 million agreement was reportedly struck in writing, with the Senegal international given permission to fly to London for a medical.
That move then fell apart in dramatic fashion.
Monaco pulled out of the agreement late on deadline day after their attempt to sell striker Folarin Balogun to Everton.
Chelsea were left without a midfielder to replace Fernandez, despite having reportedly agreed personal terms with Camara on a six-year contract.
With the transfer window now closed, Chelsea have turned their attention to the free-agent market.
According to French journalist Santi Aouna via Foot Mercato, the club have made contact with former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in recent hours over a potential free transfer.
Wijnaldum has been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
The 35-year-old joined the Saudi club in 2023 after a spell with Paris Saint-Germain, having left Liverpool on a free transfer in 2021.
The Dutchman spent five years at Anfield after joining from Newcastle United in 2016, forming part of the midfield that won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020.
He made 237 appearances for Liverpool before departing for PSG.
His career since leaving Merseyside has taken him across several leagues.
He had a loan spell at Roma before moving permanently to Al-Ettifaq, where he was reunited with former teammate Jordan Henderson under manager Steven Gerrard.
Since becoming a free agent, Wijnaldum has been linked with several clubs. Reports have previously connected him with Bayern Munich, Real Salt Lake in MLS, and Al-Jazira of the United Arab Emirates, though none of those moves have materialised.
Chelsea’s interest, as reported by Aouna, comes as the club assess options to strengthen their midfield following the collapse of the Camara deal.
With the transfer window shut in England, any deal for Wijnaldum would be structured as a free-agent signing, meaning it could be completed outside the usual registration deadlines that apply to fee-based transfers.
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