Chelsea have reportedly decided against signing former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanches on a free transfer after considering him as cover following Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City.
The London club failed to strengthen Xabi Alonso’s midfield options on transfer deadline day despite selling Fernandez to City.
Chelsea had been in talks to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco and Manu Kone from Roma as Fernandez closed in on his move to the Etihad Stadium, but both deals collapsed. The failure to add another midfielder has left Chelsea short of options in that area, with Reece James and Malo Gusto both used in midfield during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Chelsea also reportedly explored a move for former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum after the transfer window closed, but he instead joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea also considered signing Sanches following his departure from PSG.
The 29-year-old Portugal international is currently without a club after being released by the reigning Champions League holders. Sanches, who previously played in the Premier League for Swansea City in 2018, began his career at Benfica before joining Bayern Munich in 2016.
He later moved to PSG but made only 27 appearances for the French club after joining four years ago and spent recent seasons on loan in Italy, Portugal and Greece. Chelsea ultimately decided not to proceed with a deal and will instead rely on their current midfield options.
Asked after the defeat to Arsenal whether Chelsea were short in midfield, Alonso said: “We have several options and we need to find the right balance. “We believe we have the quality and competitiveness necessary for the entire season and to face every opponent.” Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, however, criticised Chelsea’s decision not to sign another midfielder before the transfer deadline.
Assessing the club’s title prospects on Sky Sports, Wright said: “I think their front three will pose problems for many teams, but it ultimately hinges on the midfield. I truly believe they must have anticipated that Enzo was likely to leave, [Andrey] Santos departed earlier, and they attempted to secure Lamine Camara from Monaco at the last moment.
“They could have acted sooner, as Enzo was always going to depart. The only problem they will have is the midfield and the problems they may have with a couple of injuries from players in their midfield. In respects of their team and the front guys they’ll be able to beat a lot of teams in the league and once they know exactly what he [Alonso] is doing.”
Chelsea had taken an early lead against Arsenal through summer signing Morgan Rogers before former Blues forward Kai Havertz equalised. Martin Odegaard then scored the winner in the second half, ending Chelsea’s perfect start to the season and sending Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League.