Chelsea missed out on signing two players before Cole Palmer, according to a new report - including a shock swoop for a current Premier League star.
The Blues had a record-breaking summer of spending, splashing out over £350 million - including a British record £110 million deal for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Other major arrivals included a £58 million swoop for Southampton's Romeo Lavia amid interest from Liverpool, and the £40 million signing of defender Axel Disasi from Monaco.
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Christopher Nkunku, meanwhile, was one of the other marquee signings, costing £52 million from RB Leipzig, although the France international is yet to play a game through injury.
Compared to some of those deals, the deadline day move for Palmer from Manchester City was relatively cheap, with the England youth international costing the Blues an initial fee of £40 million.
And he has already made good on that fee, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his first eight appearances for the club.
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But Chelsea missed out on two players before agreeing a deal to sign the former City starlet.
One of those was well-publicised, with the Blues failing in their attempts to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise as he signed a new contract at Selhurst Park.
But while the Frenchman has been unable to build on a superb 2022/23 campaign that saw him provide 11 Premier League assists for the Eagles, Chelsea's other target has had a monumental impact.
According to the London Evening Standard, the Blues were unable to complete the signing of winger Jeremy Doku, with the Belgian opting to join City from Rennes instead.
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Had Pep Guardiola's side not done that deal, Palmer may not have been made available for Chelsea to sign.
Doku, though, has slotted seamlessly into the Premier League, showcasing his incredible pace and dribbling ability to great effect.
He provided four assists in the same game during City's 6-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend, and also has two Premier League goals to his name.
Speaking about Doku's impact earlier this month, Guardiola said: "Am I surprised [at how quickly he has adapted]? Being honest, a little bit.
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"Always, we have nice expectations. He creates something for the crowd. When he takes the ball and goes, everybody is excited, and me too. Something is going to happen, and it happens."
Missing out on the 21-year-old is a bitter pill for Chelsea to swallow - but they got a superb alternative.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Chelsea, Cole Palmer, Mauricio Pochettino, Transfers, Manchester City, Premier League