Chelsea make late Georginio Wijnaldum move to beat Al-Ittihad after Enzo Fernandez sale

Chelsea have begun talks with former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as they seek a late solution to their midfield problems, despite the Premier League summer transfer window having closed.

The 35-year-old Netherlands international has emerged as the leading candidate for Chelsea, who are understood to be looking at free-agent midfielders that can still be registered after the transfer deadline.

According to French website Foot Mercato, the London club has opened contact with Wijnaldum over a possible move during the current summer transfer period. The approach follows a difficult end to deadline day for Chelsea, after the club agreed to sell Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.

Chelsea had initially reached an agreement with AS Monaco to sign Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara as Fernandez’s replacement. However, the French club unexpectedly withdrew from the deal in the final moments of the window, leaving Chelsea without the planned replacement for the Argentina international.

That late collapse has prompted Chelsea to explore the free-agent market, with Wijnaldum currently viewed as the strongest option available to fill the vacant midfield position.

Wijnaldum is also being linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. The midfielder spent the past three seasons in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq, who decided not to retain him after his contract expired at the end of last season.

A move to Chelsea would take Wijnaldum back to the Premier League five years after he left Liverpool. He departed Anfield for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, having helped Liverpool win major honours during his time at the club.

The Netherlands midfielder could also be reunited with Jordan Henderson at Chelsea. The pair played together at Liverpool between 2016 and 2021 before becoming team-mates again at Al-Ettifaq during the first half of the 2023-24 season.

Wijnaldum’s potential arrival would give Chelsea an experienced option in the middle of the pitch at a time when the club has lost its preferred plan for replacing Fernandez. His availability as a free agent means the club can still pursue the deal even though the Premier League window has closed.

Al-Ittihad are continuing to consider other midfield targets should they fail to complete a move for Wijnaldum. Among the alternatives linked with the Saudi club is Colombia international Richard Rios, who plays for Portuguese side Benfica.

For Wijnaldum, the decision would represent a choice between remaining in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad or returning to English football with Chelsea. The midfielder has already spent three seasons in Saudi Arabia after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, while Chelsea are now attempting to persuade him to return to the Premier League and provide immediate cover following the unexpected breakdown of their agreement for Lamine Camara.