Chelsea

We asked for your overall assessment of Chelsea's summer transfer window, with plenty of money spent on freshening up the squad and some regular first-team names moving on.

Here are some of your replies:

Tim: A good window for Chelsea. We brought in a good mixture of youth and experience. We sold a number of our underachievers for a profit. £125m for Enzo Fernandez? He'll be off if Real Madrid come knocking again, so I'm not too sorry to see the back of him.

Denis: An almost perfect window spiked by the two Enzos. Manchester City end up stronger and we end up weaker. I've got major concerns over the continued fitness of Romeo Lavia, Reece James and Moises Caicedo. It means that what may have been a title challenge will almost certainly now be a battle for top four or five. We could've pulled out of the Fernandez deal, but with no Champions League money that was never going to happen.

Colin: Chelsea stabbed themselves in the back waiting for Fernandez to go before getting a replacement in. They should've paid the money a few weeks ago and got Alex Scott in, knowing that Fernandez was going, or even given him a new deal to keep him.

Reg: A fantastic window. The squad looks more balanced and suited to Xabi Alonso's needs, instead of being full of young prospects with no focus. Swapping one-paced Enzo Fernandez for Morgan Rogers plus £8m will prove to be remarkable business. Missing out on Lamine Camara gives some of our talented players an opportunity to demonstrate their worth. Lavia, Valentin Barco, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Watson are all capable of stepping up. Exciting times!

Chelsea have contacted Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, 35, about joining the club on a free transfer. The former Liverpool man left Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ettifaq earlier this summer. (Foot Mercato - in French, external)

Everton rejected a late £65m bid from Chelsea for English midfielder James Garner, 25, because it came too late in the transfer window. (Talksport, external)

Meanwhile, the Blues will face competition from Liverpool for Monaco's Lamine Camara should they revive their interest in the 22-year-old Senegal midfielder after a deadline-day move to Stamford Bridge collapsed. (Talksport, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Steve Sutcliffe, Emlyn Begley and Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalists

Premier League clubs have broke their all-time summer transfer record with spending reaching £3.49bn.

A total of £506.5m was spent on deadline day itself, up from £391m last year.

The total amount spent during the window considerably dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago and underlines the power top English clubs have to attract talent, according to figures provided to BBC Sport by Paul Macdonald, founder of FootballTransfers.com.

Three of the 10 most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer – with all of them being Premier League signings. In fact, this summer window featured four of the top flight's five most expensive ever deals.

So maybe it is not surprising then that of the 20 most expensive transfers completed, only six were not to clubs in the English top flight.

Indeed, newly-promoted Ipswich have spent more on new signings than the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and reigning European champions PSG.

Premier League clubs as a whole were willing to dip deep into their pockets this summer, as 11 of the 20 clubs broke their transfer records, six of them on more than one occasion.

Coventry, promoted to the Premier League alongside Ipswich and Hull, have done so four times over.

Read more on the Premier League's record-breaking transfer spending

Arsenal have started the new Premier League season with two wins as the transfer window closes, looking in ominous shape to retain the crown they won for the first time in 22 years last season.

Have their main rivals done enough to prevent Mikel Arteta's side winning a second successive title?

And what are the other big issues as the Premier League's transfer business was concluded until January?

Chelsea may have lost Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m in the final hours of the window, but the business done this summer will still delight new manager Xabi Alonso.

Alonso opened with two Premier League wins, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's display in the opening victory at Fulham persuaded him to finally solve a long-standing problem by signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.

The list of incomings and outgoings are - as usual - almost too numerous to mention, but Morgan Rogers - a £117m signing from Aston Villa - has already formed a devastating trio in attack with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, while Maxence Lacroix is a quality defensive addition.

And in a shift in strategy, veterans Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck were brought in to add experience and their consummate professionalism to the Chelsea dressing room.

Chelsea were in the market in the final hours as well, but were bitterly disappointed when Monaco pulled the plug on their move for highly-regarded midfielder Lamine Camara as Fernandez departed.

A huge squad has no European football to offer a distraction, which is why Chelsea and Alonso could well believe they have the quality to also run close - although they remain outsiders.

Image source, Getty Images

Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro has explained why Chelsea's Deadline Day move for Lamine Camera collapsed, and how it was affected by Everton's failed move for team-mate Folarin Balogun.

The Ligue 1 side had made it clear keeping the midfielder was "our priority" despite approaches by "several clubs" over the summer and Chelsea, "always testing and trying".

However, the Blues' interest stepped up after they agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.

"I've been speaking to them for the last 10 days," explained Scuro.

"Around 16:00 yesterday we got contact from Chelsea - 'OK, we sold a player in this position. Deal done. Is there any possibility Monaco are open to selling Lamine?'

"The answer was the same: no."

However, reports then began to emerge of issues in Balogun's Everton medical and Chelsea "saw an opportunity" as Monaco needed a sale.

"It's fair to play this game," said Scuro. "There is no problem.

"Chelsea called us and said, 'maybe we can be the solution'.

"At that moment, we had to open the door to discussions. I contacted the player directly myself. I called him. I informed his agent, as we always do. We were very open.

"We had discussions about the conditions for Lamine to go to Chelsea. At the same time, the medical discussions regarding Balogun were ongoing."

But, there was time for another twist, despite Camara completing a medical in France and Chelsea expecting the deal to go through.

"What happened was that around 20:00 our time, maybe a bit earlier, Everton realised there was no issue and decided they were ready to sign the contract," added Scuri.

"As soon as we received that information, we came back to Chelsea and said there was no deal. Because that's also fair. It's part of the game."

Chelsea were left furious when the club say they were informed by Monaco in writing that a deal for Camara would not go ahead but Scuro insisted the Ligue 1 side did nothing untoward.

"There is no reason these discussions, which are always dynamic on deadline day, should suddenly make Monaco the bad guys in the room," he said.

"Everyone in football is trying to find solutions with the clock ticking. Monaco are not doing anything different."

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez helped the club win the 2025 Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup later that summer but noises emerged at the start of this year about him wanting to leave.

It began once Maresca left Stamford Bridge in January and two months later, following Chelsea's Champions League exit, Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season.

His first choice was to join Real Madrid but the La Liga giants never came in with an offer, feeling the Premier League midfielder was overpriced.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso spoke to Fernandez this summer in an attempt to try and change his mind and for him to stay, but the player's heart was set on leaving.

Having been jeered by his own supporters during the home pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, there was only one direction of travel thereafter and that exit was seemingly rubberstamped after being left out of the wins over Luton and Brighton.

A deal with Manchester City was finally struck with just hours remaining in the transfer window, but which club will feel they came out on top?

Chelsea had set an arbitrary deadline of 14 August for clubs to match their £120m valuation of the player - which passed without any offers coming in - and they were understood to be holding out for £135m on Monday.

City had indicated they would walk away from the deal at the price, instead offering £125m the following day, which was subsequently accepted.

City got their man, while Chelsea received £5m more than what they initially asked for.

Chelsea have now raised more than £425m through player sales, including add-ons this summer and fees from loan deals are expected to take that figure closer to £500m.

Club sources initially indicated they would bank the cash and not bring in a direct replacement but, with time running out on deadline day, they performed an extraordinary pivot by agreeing a £47m deal to sign Monaco's Lamine Camara.

But there was one final twist at 23:00 BST as the window closed, with the Ligue 1 side reneging on the written agreement after renegotiating a deal to sell USA striker Folarin Balogun to Everton.

It left Chelsea with the Fernandez cash in their pocket but without a replacement and, though they could have pulled the plug on the deal, the Blues decided to honour their word and allowed him to join City.

Read more on the deadline day drama

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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