Chelsea's Midfield Search and Arsenal's January Targets

Chelsea’s midfield search, Arsenal’s next wide threat and a string of late-window gambles that never landed – the dust from the deadline is still swirling around the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

Chelsea offered Bissouma after Enzo exit

Chelsea’s record-breaking sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m left a gaping hole at the heart of their midfield. One solution was put on the table: Yves Bissouma.

The former Tottenham and Mali midfielder, now 30 and a free agent after leaving Spurs in the summer, was offered to Chelsea as a direct replacement for the 25-year-old Argentine. The move would have represented a sharp pivot from a high-cost, long-term asset in Enzo to a more short-term, experienced option in Bissouma. For now, it remains an opportunity rather than a deal.

Wharton interest rebuffed by Crystal Palace

Chelsea’s search for midfield control didn’t stop there. Manchester City were in the same queue.

Both clubs showed interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton before the deadline. The 22-year-old England midfielder has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most coveted young operators, and Palace treated him accordingly. Every bid was rejected. No discounts, no late compromise. Wharton stays in South London, at least until the next window opens and the phone starts ringing again.

Baena on the radar – but Atlético hold firm

Across Europe, another creative midfielder is drawing admiring glances from England.

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United are all tracking Alex Baena. The 25-year-old Spain winger has impressed enough to move onto the recruitment lists of three ambitious Premier League projects. Atlético Madrid’s stance, though, is clear: they have no intention of selling. Interest is there, money is ready, but the door is shut.

Wolves’ teen prospect draws elite attention

One of the window’s quieter stories might prove one of the most important in a few years.

Wolves could have cashed in on Mateus Mane before the deadline. The Portugal Under-21 forward, just 18, already has admirers at Liverpool and Manchester United. Both clubs like what they see, both monitored the situation, and both were prepared to move. Wolves held on. For a club that has sold heavily in recent seasons, that decision could define the next phase of their rebuild.

Arsenal line up Raphinha move

Arsenal’s attack is already stacked with wide talent, but the planning for January has started early.

The club are considering a £68m offer for Barcelona winger Raphinha. Now 29, the Brazil international remains on Arsenal’s radar as they look to deepen their options on the flanks and add another proven final-third threat. Any move would test Barcelona’s resolve and the player’s own ambitions, but the figure under consideration shows Arsenal are serious about another major attacking investment.

Tottenham ready to cut loose Richarlison

Across North London, Tottenham are wrestling with a very different kind of forward problem.

Richarlison, 29 and out of favour, could be heading for the exit in dramatic fashion. Spurs are considering paying up the Brazil forward’s contract to allow him to leave on a free transfer. It would be a brutal end to a big-money signing, a clean break designed to free up wages and squad space. For club and player, it feels like a relationship approaching its final act.

Everton’s late move for Castellanos falls short

Everton, fighting to reshape their attack, pushed hard on deadline day.

They made a verbal offer worth £40m plus £5m in add-ons to West Ham for Argentine striker Taty Castellanos. The 27-year-old was firmly in their sights, the numbers were serious, and the intent was clear. Timing, though, killed the move. The proposal landed too late for West Ham to sign off on his departure, and Castellanos stayed put.

The window has closed, but the aftershocks are everywhere: big clubs with unfinished business, players stuck between moves, and plans already being drawn up for January. Who blinks first when it all starts again?