Chelsea make contact with unthinkable free agent after transfer deadline

Chelsea have made contact to sign former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum after the summer transfer deadline, it has been reported.

Wijnaldum, who was part of Liverpool's 2019/20 title-winning squad, left the Reds in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain.

After two years in Paris, he joined up with Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, where he has spent the last three seasons.

But the 36-year-old was released by the Saudi club in June after his contract was not renewed.

He has been a free agent throughout the summer transfer window, and can sign for a new club after the deadline.

Georginio Wijnaldum left Al Ettifaq in June (Image: Getty)

According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea have made contact with the Netherlands midfielder after a disastrous end to their deadline day.

The Blues sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million and had lined up Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as his replacement.

But Monaco pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute as they preferred to sell striker Folarin Balogun to Everton. Balogun decided to reject the move to Everton despite being at the Toffees' training ground, and both players ultimately remained at Monaco.

Facing the prospect of being potentially short on numbers in midfield until January, the Blues can either get by with what they have or search for free transfer options.

Should Wijnaldum make an unexpected move to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would be the third Premier League club he has played for after Newcastle and Liverpool.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso had identified a need for more experience in his squad upon taking over at the beginning of the summer. Only two players over the age of 30 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly - had joined the club since BlueCo took majority ownership in 2022.

Danny Welbeck, 35, and former Liverpool title-winning captain Jordan Henderson, 36, both signed for Chelsea over the summer.

'These have not been easy days for me...' - Enzo Fernandez on Chelsea exit

Fernandez signed an eight-and-a-half year contract when he arrived at Chelsea in January 2023, meaning it still had five years left to run.

The Blues have still managed to recoup more the entire fee of £106.8 million they paid to sign him from Benfica - in fact, even more, as City paid £125 million.

Fernandez played in the Champions League for Chelsea last season but could not help them qualify for European football this season, with reports since the beginning of the season claiming that he wanted out of Stamford Bridge.

"These have not been easy days for me," he wrote in an Instagram post. "The truth is, I haven't been in a good place.

"Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves. We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones.

"I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I truly understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart.

"But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I've said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, my heart.

"But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way."

Fernandez thanked his former team-mates, staff and fans at Chelsea, adding: "This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too. Never doubt that.

"You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the best."