'There was interest' - Attacker explains why he rejected Chelsea transfer approach during summer window
A player Chelsea reportedly pursued in the summer has opened up on why he did not end up moving.
One of the players Chelsea were heavily linked with has been speaking about the transfer rumours that surrounded him in the summer window. The Blues had a busy transfer window, with much of the action happening early and late, with three attackers snapped up early doors, while Alejandro Garnacho and Facuno Buonanotte joined in the final days of the window.
Enzo Maresca will be pleased with the window the club managed, although you could argue Chelsea got a little weaker overall up top with the departure of Nicolas Jackson and the recall of Marc Guiu, while there is also a temporary step down at the back with the injury of Levi Colwill, who was not replaced with an incoming.
Chelsea were restricted with their spending, though, with the West London club receiving a £27million fine from UEFA due to their big spending, while Europe’s governing body also threatened a further fine of £52million should a similar spending pattern continue.
The Blues had to make sure they raised big funds by selling players before sanctioning deals, and that ultimately cost them Xavi Simons, who wound up joining Tottenham after weeks of waiting for a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were also linked with a move for breakout Lyon star Malick Fofana, but it seems the 20-year-old winger decided himself that a transfer was not something he wanted to pursue, at least in the summer just gone. He told HBVL: "There was interest from those two clubs (Chelsea and Liverpool), but ultimately nothing concrete. I've considered a transfer, but now I think it's more important that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon. Because I still have some progress to make."
The speedy winger has made 49 league appearances for Lyon since 2024, scoring nine times and earning two Belgium caps so far, scoring once. Chelsea will have to circle back if they want to sign Fofana, who was being valued at around £54million by Lyon in the summer, a value that could grow if the youngster continues to develop.
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