Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea fully expected their move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara to go through, and had already sanctioned Enzo Fernandez's £125m switch to Manchester City in anticipation of the Senegal international joining.

Having previously struggled to agree a deal for the 22-year-old, the Blues made a breakthrough when Monaco striker Folarin Balogun's move to Everton came into renewed doubt.

But Chelsea were left furious and say they were informed by Monaco in writing that a deal for Camara would not go ahead.

Sources in France had stated Monaco needed to make a major sale this summer and preferred to sell Balogun. A source at the Ligue 1 club had previously indicated it would take a "substantial fee" to secure Camara's departure.

Camara featured in Monaco's 2-0 win over Marseille on Sunday evening, while Balogun was left out of the squad.

Yet, when doubts emerged over Balogun's proposed move, Monaco's asking price for Camara appeared to fall, making a move to Stamford Bridge more achievable at £47m.

Once Balogun's transfer seemed to be back on track, Monaco appeared to renege on their decision to sell Camara. BBC Sport has contacted the Ligue 1 club for comment.

But then Everton's move for Balogun collapsed after the striker changed his mind over the move following a medical at the club's Finch Farm training base.

Issues with the medical meant Everton and Monaco renegotiated the initial £40m deal for the 25-year-old striker.

The United States international and both clubs signed a deal sheet before the transfer window closed at 23:00 BST on Tuesday - only for Balogun to have a change of heart and walk away.

How much of a blow is the Camara deal falling through for Chelsea? And what's your assessment overall of the Blues' transfer window?

Send us your views here

Chelsea made a late attempt to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 23, to replace Enzo Fernandez, but the Cherries had no interest in selling this summer. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, Arsenal also rejected an enquiry from the Blues for 27-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi. (Sun), external

Liverpool tried to sign right-back Malo Gusto on deadline day, but the loan move did not materialise as Chelsea wanted a permanent transfer. (Fabrice Hawkins), external

Celtic are hoping to finalise a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Chelsea have done the following business on transfer deadline day:

• Midfielder Enzo Fernandez has joined Manchester City in a deal worth £125m.

• Atalanta's 18-year-old Honest Ahanor has signed in a deal worth up to £40m and will officially move to Stamford Bridge next summer.

• Striker Marc Guiu has joined Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for £14.6m, including add-ons.

• Striker Deivid Washington has signed for Strasbourg in a permanent deal.

• Midfielder Dario Essugo has joined Strasbourg on a season-long loan.

• Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has joined Serie A side Como on loan for the remainder of the season.

• Chelsea forward Dujuan Richards has joined AFC Wimbledon on loan for the rest of the season.

• Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has moved to Tottenham on a season-long loan with an option to buy for £75m.

• Defender Tosin Adarabioyo has signed for Tottenham in a permanent deal.

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Follow all the transfer deadline day news in our live text

What do you think of the Blues' business in the transfer window? Let us know here

Monaco have cancelled Chelsea's transfer for Lamine Camara. It's safe to say that Chelsea are furious about the situation.

Sources suggest Chelsea had time to stop Enzo Fernandez's deal to Manchester City but they preferred to honour their word.

The feeling at Stamford Bridge is they fell victim to an extraordinary and unprofessional situation.

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Fernandez says Chelsea "will always" be in his heart, with the midfielder set to make a £125m move to Manchester City to reunite with Enzo Maresca.

On his social media channel, the Argentine wrote: "I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven't been in a good place.

"Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club.

"Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with 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 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, in 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.

"I want to thank every single one of you: the staff, the coaching team, the medical team, the physios, and everyone who works at Cobham and throughout this great institution.

"To all my team-mates over these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so many moments with me. I was truly happy here, and I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.

"Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it.

"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 very best.

"Always Blue.

"Thank you, Chelsea."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on as Enzo Fernandez edges closer to completing a joint-record British transfer to Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Kip: Fabulous skills, but too much drama and ego. Good business for the team to let him go and to start building better character on the field and in the locker room.

Phil: A massive loss in terms of quality and, seemingly with no replacement coming, will impact us from a team strength point of view. There is, however, a little bit of 'one bad apple can spoil the bunch' about it, and it is probably a better move in terms of team spirit and cohesion. Xabi Alonso looks like he's moving quickly to create a positive atmosphere and will probably be keen to remove bad influences.

Andy: He's an incredible player, but in all honesty, good riddance! I didn't like the way he conducted himself at the World Cup, or with his desire to move away. And I honestly think our midfield is more balanced without him. I feel like we've done one over on our City rivals!

Clayton: He's a decent player but always looked better playing in the 10 position (when Palmer was injured). To do this now at Chelsea, he'd be fourth choice. I'd rather have Barco, Lavia and Caicedo fighting for the midfield slots and if he does turn out to be better, he'll just join Real Madrid. Not a good deal for City.

Stevie: Happy he's gone. He's way overpriced, doesn't actually control a game, and is a red card danger. We can either buy someone now or wait to spend the money. I would love us to sign Wharton as his replacement.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have confirmed Dario Essugo will join Ligue 1 Strasbourg on loan, while striker Deivid Washington will move to the French side on a permanent transfer.

Essugo came to Stamford Bridge in June 2025 for a £18.5m fee. Last season, the midfielder featured in five games for the Blues.

Washington joined Chelsea in August 2023 for a fee worth £17.2m, but has only featured in three senior games for the west London club.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are playing down the need to sign a replacement before Tuesday's transfer deadline despite the likely sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.

Following the departure of the 25-year-old Argentina international, Chelsea can point to more than £425m raised through player sales, including add-ons. Loan fees are expected to take that figure closer to £500m.

The club explored moves for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, Monaco's Lamine Camara and another unnamed Premier League player. However, Chelsea felt the £125m fee received for Fernandez could lead to inflated demands in the transfer market.

Chelsea also retain a number of midfield options, including Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Valentin Barco, Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson.

Enzo Fernandez is a man who costs a pretty penny.

His transfer to Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 was worth £107m, and his impending move to Manchester City is £18m more than that at £125m - a joint-British transfer record.

So, when completed, he will have cost over £230m in his past two moves and will become the first ever footballer to complete two £100m+ moves. That is a decent bit of money.

He takes with with him a wealth of top-level experience to Manchester.

At only 25, Fernandez has already racked up 285 league appearances across the Argentinian, Portuguese and English top-flights, as well as playing 49 times so far for his country.

He has won the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina, as well as major silverware in every country in which he has played - most recently winning the Club World Cup with Chelsea in 2025.

Across his entire career he has only missed 14 matches through injury and has acted as Chelsea's vice-captain since the summer of 2024.

So, what are your feelings on the deal? Are you getting a fair price for Fernandez? And how will you reflect on his Blues legacy?

Get in touch with your views here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been filmed arriving in Milan ahead of a medical before his proposed move to Italian club Como 1907.

The 28-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements following an error-strewn display in Chelsea's opening Premier League match of the season at Fulham.

Chelsea signed Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as his replacement within days in a deal worth £7.5m.

The move to Como, managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, is an initial loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent.

The Italian club are also due to compete in the Champions League this season.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Honest Ahanor had the unusual distinction of being announced by two Premier League clubs - and featuring in two separate photoshoots, wearing two different badges - in a single day.

Ultimately, the arrangement agreed by all parties means Ahanor will play for Crystal Palace during the 2026-27 season.

It follows Chelsea's signing of centre-back Maxence Lacroix from their London rivals for £52m last month.

The Blues have also loaned Axel Disasi directly to Palace for a £3m fee.

Under Premier League rules, clubs may loan only one player to another club in the same division.

However, this arrangement, under which a player is purchased in 2027 but loaned by selling club Atalanta to Chelsea's preferred destination in the meantime, represents a workaround.

Chelsea have previously been accused of exploiting loopholes in Premier League regulations, including selling two hotels adjacent to Stamford Bridge and their women's team to companies within their ownership structure in order to comply with financial rules.

They also handed out unusually long contracts after the club's American owners took over in 2022, enabling transfer fees to be spread over a greater number of seasons.

In each case, the relevant regulations were subsequently amended.

However, Chelsea continue to seek innovative ways to recruit, develop and ultimately secure some of Europe's most promising young talent.

Read the full article here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea striker Shim Mheuka is set to complete a season-long loan move to Celtic.

The 18-year-old will soon travel to Scotland after undergoing a medical ahead of what would be his first senior loan spell.

As first reported by BBC Sport, Mheuka has also signed a new contract until 2033, committing his future to the club as he continues his development.

He attracted interest from at least a dozen clubs this summer, including sides from Europe's top five leagues, Scotland, the Netherlands and the Championship.

However, a move to Celtic Park was ultimately chosen after careful deliberation by Mheuka and Chelsea officials.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have announced that teenage defender Honest Ahanor will join the club in 2027 after spending the rest of this season on loan at Crystal Palace.

The Blues have agreed a deal worth up to £40m to sign Italy international Ahanor, 18, from Atalanta.

But he will not arrive at Stamford Bridge immediately.

Instead, Ahanor is set to join London rivals Crystal Palace on loan from his current club before officially becoming a Chelsea player next summer.

Chelsea first expressed an interest in Ahanor, 18, when they signed right-back Marco Palestra from the Serie A side in July.

He mainly plays at left-back and joined Atalanta from Genoa on a three-year deal last summer for a reported fee of 16m euros, plus 4m euros in add-ons.

He made 28 appearances in Serie A for Atalanta last season, establishing himself as a regular starter. He also made his Champions League debut in a 2-1 win against Club Brugge last September.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Serie A side Roma deny any formal offer has come in from Chelsea for midfielder Manu Kone.

He is clearly a player of interest to the Blues but Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini issued a statement blocking it on Monday night.

However, the Blues have made a £38.5m offer to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.

The move is part of Chelsea's plans to replace Enzo Fernandez, who is closing in on a move to Manchester City before the transfer deadline for a fee of about £120m.

The Stamford Bridge club's willingness to sanction the sale is contingent on a replacement being found, and talks with Monaco are set to continue.

Monaco may also be in a stronger negotiating position after agreeing a £40m deal to sell striker Folarin Balogun to Everton.

Image source, Getty Images