REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Chelsea made a secret late deadline day approach to sign Everton midfielder James Garner, GMS understands.
The talk heading into deadline day was that Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was likely to complete a move to Manchester City, and that the Blues would look to bring in a replacement for the Argentina international.
The west London outfit had been linked with moves for Manu Kone and Lamine Camara earlier in the day, while GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed interest in Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal, Nottingham Forest's Gibbs-White and Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Bergvall.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano corroborated the interest in the latter, saying Chelsea made a late phone call over a potential move for the Sweden international.
After Fernandez's £125m move to the Etihad was agreed before 5pm on deadline day, the Blues then worked on trying to bring a new midfielder through the door.
GMS sources revealed that Chelsea had agreed a £47m deal with Monaco for Camara late in the evening, but the move then collapsed as the Ligue 1 outfit pulled the plug on a deal, with the midfielder and his teammate Folarin Balogun both ending up staying at the Stade Louis II.
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Chelsea's Central Midfield Options
Moises Caicedo
Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia
Valentin Barco
As well as Camara, GMS understands that the Londoners made a late attempt on deadline day to sign England international Garner, with Chelsea valuing the player at £65m.
However, the approach was rejected by Everton, with the 25-year-old also understood to be happy with life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Garner Would Have Been Genius Signing
James Garner
When you look at some of the fees bandied around for players during the summer transfer window, if Chelsea could have landed Garner for £65m it would have been a genius signing.
The England international has established himself as one of the best in his position during his time with Everton, whom he joined from Manchester United in 2022.
The 25-year-old has made 128 appearances for the Toffees since, and he has proven to be a reliable part of the base of the club's midfield, while also producing five goals and 11 assists across those outings.
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Garner vs Fernandez (PL 2025-26)
Apps
Goals
Pass accuracy
Line-breaking passes
Big chances created
Successful dribbles
Duels won
Defensive contributions
Possession won final 3rd
While he doesn't provide the goal threat that Fernandez did last season, Garner excels in many other areas and he looks ready to make the move to a top six Premier League club based on what he showed for Everton last season.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is certainly a big fan of the midfielder, comparing him to a Real Madrid star in recent seasons.
"He's getting there, and he played very, very good. I was quite sure that he will play good because he has this natural confidence and he's just very physical. He won a lot of balls."
It will now be interesting to see if Chelsea return for Garner in the January transfer window if they decide they still need another midfielder.