Chelsea reach out to surprise free agent after transfer window closes
Chelsea have reached out to sign former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, even though the summer transfer window has closed, according to reports.
Wijnaldum, who was part of Liverpool’s 2019/20 Premier League-winning team, left Liverpool in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain. After two years in France, he moved to Saudi club Al Ettifaq, where Reds legend Steven Gerrard is the manager. He spent three seasons there before being released in June when his contract wasn’t renewed.
He’s been a free agent all summer, so he can still join a new club despite the transfer deadline passing. Foot Mercato reports that Chelsea have made contact with the Dutch midfielder after a tricky transfer deadline day.
Chelsea recently sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million and were trying to sign Monaco’s Lamine Camara as his replacement. But that deal fell through because Monaco wanted to sell striker Folarin Balogun to Everton instead. Balogun then decided not to move to Everton, so both players stayed at Monaco.
With their midfield options looking thin until January, Chelsea might try signing free agents like Wijnaldum. If he joins, he would become the third Premier League team he’s played for after Newcastle and Liverpool.
Chelsea’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, wanted to add more experience when he took charge this summer. Since BlueCo became majority owners in 2022, only two players over 30 — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly — have joined Chelsea.
Other experienced players like Danny Welbeck, 35, and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, 36, also signed for Chelsea this summer.
Enzo Fernandez signed a long eight-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea in January 2023, but after just one season, the club sold him to Manchester City and made a profit. Despite playing for Chelsea in the Champions League last season, Fernandez couldn’t help the club qualify for European football this year and reportedly wanted to leave.
Fernandez shared an emotional message on Instagram saying it’s been a tough time for him, explaining how much he cares about the club and its fans. He said he was obsessed with winning and giving Chelsea the trophies it deserves. He thanked his teammates, staff, and fans and said he will always hold Chelsea close to his heart.
He wishes the club nothing but the best moving forward and promised to cheer for them from afar.