Chelsea have made contact with former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum after missing out on Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
The Blues sold World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on the transfer deadline for a £125m British record transfer fee, which matched what Liverpool paid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak during last year’s summer Deadline Day.
Wijnaldum had been a free agent since leaving Saudi side Al Ettifaq, meaning the Blues can sign him at any time.
He is viewed as a short-term backup option to Monaco’s Lamine Camara, whose proposed €55 million move to Chelsea collapsed at the final hurdle on deadline day.
Chelsea are believed to be determined to return for Camara in January, but Xabi Alonso’s side wants to fill the vacuum left by Enzo Fernandez.
According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea are ready to offer Wijnaldum a short-term contract if personal terms can be agreed.
Alonso sees the former Newcastle man as an attractive option due to already boasting plenty of Premier League experience.
Wijnaldum made 217 appearances in the English top-flight during spells at St James’ Park and Liverpool.
He also became an Anfield hero after winning the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, and Super Cup with the Merseyside giants.
Wijnaldum was a key part of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, helping the club win the Premier League and Champions League in five seasons at Anfield.
The midfielder then joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2021 before making the move to Saudi Arabia two years later.
For Al-Ettifaq last season, Wijnaldum scored 17 goals and registered seven assists in 34 appearances.
If he makes the move to Chelsea, Wijnaldum would link up with his former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, who joined Stamford Bridge as a free agent in August.
