It was a busy summer transfer window for Chelsea under their new owners who spent to the tune of £278 million on recruiting some of the biggest names in world football.
The likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and deadline-day signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , arrive at Stamford Bridge with expectations that the new Chelsea boys deliver out there on the pitch and bring back success to the west London giants.
Chelsea, however, were unsuccessful in their efforts to sign some of the players that were on the wishlist of the now ex-head coach Thomas Tuchel with talks to bring in the transfer targets leading nowhere.
Also Read – Chelsea give the sack to manager Thomas Tuchel following Dinamo defeat
Here are 5 players Chelsea failed to sign in this summer’s transfer window –
1. Frenkie de Jong
A name that was understood to be top on Tuchel’s shopping list for the summer, De Jong, was heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona with Chelsea and Manchester United both keen on moving in for his services.
The Holland international midfielder, however, ended up staying put at Camp Nou for the 2022-23 campaign with Chelsea’s hopes of signing the 25-year-old on loan hitting a roadblock over wage concerns.
Also Read – Frenkie de Jong’s camp committed to reject move away from Barcelona
2. Josko Gvardiol
Gvardiol, the highly rated RB Leipzig defender, was reportedly close to making the move to Stamford Bridge in the final hours of last week’s deadline day only for the Croatian to be retained by the Leipzig camp.
Chelsea had been interested in signing the centre-back, who would stay at Leipzig for the season and move to the English capital next summer, with an offer worth €90 tabled.
3. Aurélien Tchouaméni
Chelsea had been long keeping tabs on the French midfield maestro Tchouaméni who eventually signed for European champions Real Madrid in a big-money deal over the summer.
The former AS Monaco talent had also been eyed up by Chelsea’s rivals Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp making personal contact with the player to persuade him on making the move to Merseyside but to no avail.
4. Edson Alvarez
The Blues had been desperate for a late-window signing to reinforce their midfield ranks before they brought in Juventus man Denis Zakaria in a loan transfer with an option to buy.
Ajax’s in-demand midfielder Edson Alvarez was subject to serious interest from the Chelsea camp who were handed a setback in their pursuit with Ajax insisting that the player was not for sale this summer.
Chelsea, however, are backed to revisit their interest in the Mexico international come January when the transfer window reopens with the new co-owner Todd Boehly looking to add a quality midfield player to his side sooner rather than later.
5. Romeo Lavia
Southampton’s hot prospect, Romeo Lavia, emerged as a priority target for Chelsea in the later stages of the summer window with Thomas Tuchel’s side reportedly making a £50 million bid for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Chelsea’s hopes of signing the teenager were dismissed by Southampton who had landed Lavia earlier in the summer from Manchester City with the player adapting to life at St. Mary’s brilliantly six games into the new season.
