Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has confirmed that midfielder Edson Alvarez wanted to join Chelsea on transfer Deadline Day.
The Mexican international was linked with a move to the Blues on the final day of the transfer window as Thomas Tuchel’s side looked to sign another midfielder.
However, a move failed to materialise and Alvarez will now remain at Ajax for the campaign.
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Chelsea instead signed Denis Zakaria from Juventus, with the 25-year-old joining on a season-long loan deal.
Since then, Ajax boss Schreuder has revealed that Alvarez wanted to make the move from the Eredivisie to the Premier League on Deadline Day.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: "Chelsea reported themselves for Edson Álvarez on the final day and Álvarez wanted this.
“For one day he was feeling very down but yesterday he told me: 'coach, I am here and I will give my 100% again.’”
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Despite failing to sign him in the summer, recent reports have suggested that Chelsea could make a move for him once again later down the line.
They are thought to be ready to re-enter negotiations for the midfielder in January, particularly when Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have been suffering from injury problems in recent months.
A winter move could certainly happen, and both clubs are set to discuss such a possibility in the coming days.
Despite signing on Deadline Day, Zakaria was unable to feature against West Ham as the Swiss international is waiting for a work permit.
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He was in the stands at Stamford Bridge however, as well as fellow new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Chelsea were able to secure a 2-1 win against the Hammers in dramatic fashion, with Kai Havertz scoring the winner shortly before Maxwel Cornet had a goal ruled out via VAR.
Ben Chilwell was one of the Blues’ heroes as he came off the bench to net the equaliser and assist the deciding goal.
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He delivered his verdict on the match after the full-time whistle: "The last 20 or 30 minutes were a lot of different emotions! Just happy to get the win.
"I have had to be patient, bide my time and make sure I am training hard to make sure I can come in and make an impact."
Chilwell also spoke on the controversial decision to disallow Cornet’s goal.
"I went over to look at the VAR screen and from my point of view it was a foul - we put ourselves in that position and should have done, it's that bit of luck we got today."
Topics: Chelsea, Ajax, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours
Robert Calcutt