Chelsea’s deadline day scramble takes a strange turn as Yves Bissouma, once frozen out at Tottenham, lands on the Blues’ radar for free.
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC
Full name: Chelsea Football Club Nickname: The Blues Founded: 10 March 1905 Ground: Stamford Bridge Owner: BlueCo Chairman: Todd Boehly Manager: Xabi Alonso League: Premier League Season 2025-26: 10th position Website: chelseafc.com Chelsea Football Club is one of the most… Read More about CHELSEA
Free agent Yves Bissouma has been offered to Chelsea after their late scramble to replace Enzo Fernandez fell apart, as per latest transfer news. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is linked to a free move to the Stamford Bridge after the Blues’ move for Lamine Camara collapsed.
Yves Bissouma emerges as shock free agent option
Chelsea’s business on transfer deadline day will not be forgotten anytime soon. The club believed they had wrapped up a deal for Monaco’s Lamine Camara. They viewed the young midfielder as the ideal long-term successor to Man City-bound Enzo Fernandez.
With that kind of money and quality walking out the door, replacing Fernandez became a priority for the west London side. The terms were said to be agreed between the two clubs for Camara’s move. Then, Monaco pulled out of the deal at the end, leaving the Blues without a replacement. That sudden collapse is said to be a direct reason why Yves Bissouma’s name has now entered the talks, as reported by The Sun.
Bissouma’s not so smooth run at Spurs
Bissouma walked away from Tottenham this summer as a free man. He finally closed a tough four-year chapter in north London. The Malian midfielder arrived at Spurs from Brighton in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £25m. Big things were expected of him back then. He had just helped the Seagulls finish ninth in the Premier League. It was one of their best top flight finishes in the club’s history. As a result, then-Spurs head coach Antonio Conte wanted him in his midfield.
Things did not always run smoothly during his time at Tottenham. He made 111 appearances across all competitions for the club. But, his spell was frequently disrupted by poor form and off field trouble. That includes separate incidents involving nitrous oxide that landed him in hot water with the club.
Bissouma’s 2025/26 season stats at Spurs, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches DefensiveContributions PassingAccuracy(%) DuelsWon(%)
Premier League 11 75 88% 63%
Even so, when he was fully focused, few midfielders in the league could match his ability to break up play and drive forward with the ball. That version of Bissouma was on full display during the 2024/25 campaign. He played a genuine role in helping Spurs lift the Europa League, their first major trophy in almost two decades.
The player’s PL experience is said to have put him on Chelsea’s radar now that he is available on a free transfer. Meanwhile, Ajax and Monaco are also said to be keeping tabs on him. However, staying in English football remains his preference if the right opportunity arises.
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC
Chelsea’s move for ex-Liverpool star
The failed Camara chase has left a visible gap in Chelsea’s midfield planning, and rumours have already turned to other names on the market. Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as well. But, Xabi Alonso’s side leaves the door open for other options.
Whether Chelsea act on the opportunity to bring in the ex-Spurs star remains to be seen, especially with rival clubs circling. Still, a low cost risk on a player capable of the level Bissouma showed during Tottenham’s Europa League run might prove to be some smart business.