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Chelsea ended the transfer window with a bang. They signed 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for a record fee and also wrapped up a loan deal for Mateo Kovacic. That being said, their window could have gone much better.
The Blues started their window slowly after a delay in sacking Antonio Conte and appointing Maurizio Sarri. When finally took charge in mid-July, he also got Jorginho with him from Napoli. The Brazil-born Italian became the club’s first signing.
After Sarri’s arrival, Chelsea were linked with a host of names but only a few of them were Chelsea’s actual targets. Many of their targets were Serie A superstars Sarri was familiar with but the Blues were beaten to the signing of some of their main targets or were unable to push a deal through.
Despite their positive end to the window, a glance at the transfer targets Chelsea failed to sign in the summer indicates that they may not have got all the players they wanted.
#4. Aleksandr Golovin
Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin was one of the stars of the World Cup but the young midfielder’s stock was already on the rise even before his performance at the World Cup.
Golovin was a summer transfer target for Juventus, Chelsea and Monaco. The Blues were reportedly front-runners for the 22-year-old’s signature for most of the window before Monaco stepped up their interest in the player.
Eventually, the Ligue 1 side were able to sign the player for a fee of around £30 million and on a five-year contract.
According to Monaco’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, the project Monaco had to offer for Golovin was more suited for a player involved in a transition phase and understandably so considering the gems that they have unearthed in recent seasons.
"They really were complicated. Honestly, until the last moment, I was not sure that I would be able to coordinate this transfer.
In addition to Chelsea, there was Juventus for Golovin. In early May this year, I heard from one the leaders of the Turin club that Aleksandr’s transfer to their team was a done deal.
However, our main competitor was Chelsea. I believe Monaco offered more favourable conditions for the club and a more understandable sports project for Golovin.
Chelsea – this is a top club, which I treat with great respect. However, the midfield in the English team is overloaded. In my opinion, Golovin will definitely play in any of the leading clubs in the world. But it will take him some time, a transition stage.”
#3. Daniele Rugani
Daniele Rugani was one of the first names that was linked with Juventus after Sarri took over because the player and manager worked together at Empoli.
Rugani was not a regular starter at Juventus but he was one for the future because Giorgio Chiellini, Medhi Benatia, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci are aged 33, 31, 37 and 31 respectively.
Considering this, it is understandable that Juve were unwilling to part with a player who could take over the mantle.
The player’s agent, Davide Torchia, revealed to RMC Sport that Chelsea had a huge offer for the player rejected by Juventus.
"Juventus have no desire to sell him, not even for a high price which, among other things, no-one in Italy could afford
However, the player has never asked to leave. Only when a very important offer arrives is it normal to listen, but Juventus have rejected all kinds of offers to keep him in Turin.
Chelsea made a really big bid, which was close to being unthinkable for me, but Juventus didn't relent.”
#2. Alisson Becker
Chelsea were also linked with a Serie A star that Sarri didn’t work with during his time in Italy. Brazil’s first choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe last season and arguably the best goalkeeper in Serie A last season.
The 25-year-old shot stopper is known for his incredible composure and skill on the ball. Sarri’s system requires such a goalkeeper and there wasn’t a better option at that time.
Chelsea initially baulked at Roma’s asking price and were keeping tabs on the player when their rivals Liverpool made a swift move to sign him for a then world record fee.
According to reports, Sarri even made a last-ditch attempt to convince the player to join him at Chelsea but Alisson already had his mind set on a move to Liverpool.
Chelsea eventually signed a replacement for Thibaut Courtois when they paid the £71.6 million release clause of Athletic Bilbao’s 23-year-old goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. In the process, they broke the record for the most expensive goalkeeper which Alisson held only for a few days.
#1. Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain is another player that worked with Sarri and was a big transfer target for Chelsea.
Higuain holds the record for most goals ever in a Serie A season when he scored 36 goals in 2015/16 under Sarri at Napoli. Incredibly, the second highest scorer in the league that season only had 19 goals.
The Argentine was familiar with Sarri’s system and thrived in it. Hence, he became Chelsea’s numero uno target.
Despite Sarri wanting him at Chelsea, Higuain opted to move to Milan, on loan. Upon joining Milan, he revealed the reason behind his decision to snub Chelsea.
“I have huge respect for Sarri, but he was the only one who wanted me at Chelsea. Here at Milan everyone wanted me. The motivation and conviction they showed at Milan was fundamental.”
Even though Chelsea missed out on Higuain, they didn’t opt to sign another striker in the summer.
