Chelsea considered a late move for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge before the summer transfer window closed, according to the BBC.
They had planned to bring in a new central midfielder during the final days of the transfer window, with Enzo Fernandez expected to complete a £125 million move away from the club.
However, Chelsea’s plans did not work out as expected. They sold the wantaway Argentine but couldn’t secure a replacement before the deadline.
Chelsea considered several players in their search for a replacement, and Berge was one of them, although they never made a formal offer.
The Blues were also informed that the Norway international was not for sale.
Since joining Fulham from Burnley for £25m in 2024, Berge had established himself as an important player for Fulham, and that hasn’t changed with Alvaro Arbeloa in charge.
He has made 78 appearances for the Cottagers, providing the physical presence and experience Chelsea wanted in the middle of the park.
Chelsea eventually turned their attention elsewhere on deadline day, with AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara and AS Roma’s Manu Kone among the players they explored.
They made significant progress in their pursuit of Camara and even agreed a reported £47m deal.
However, the transfer collapsed after Monaco pulled the plug just minutes before the window closed.
Chelsea’s failure to sign a midfielder to replace Fernandez could now force the club back into the market when the winter transfer window opens.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is among their longer-term targets, but there’s a chance that they could return for Camara despite reports of their strained relationship with Monaco.
Chelsea’s need for a midfielder was laid bare in their 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, with manager Xabi Alonso forced to finish the game with right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto in the centre of the park.
Moises Caicedo is expected to return for Saturday’s home clash against Hull City.
