Chelsea ‘nearly signed former Premier League flop, 29, to replace Enzo Fernandez’ days after he had contract ripped up

CHELSEA considered Swansea flop Renato Sanches as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez, reports suggest. Sanches, 29, became a free agent after Paris Saint-Germain terminated his contract following four ill-fated years that included three hapless loan stints at Roma, Benfica and Panathinaikos. Chelsea considered Swansea flop Renato Sanches on transfer deadline day Credit: AFP Chelsea were interested in Sanches as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez Credit: Getty Images – Getty According to Foot Mercato, however, the Blues were, “for a time”, interested in the midfielder. The same source claims the ex-Portugal international ticked “many boxes” in the eyes of the West Londoners’ decision makers. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Chelsea listed Sanches among their transfer targets notably due to his top-flight experience and immediate availability in the closing stages of a tumultuous summer transfer window. Xabi Alonso saw star midfielder Fernandez, 25, move to Manchester City on deadline day in a joint-Premier League record £125million deal. Chelsea thought they had Monaco star Lamine Camara sealed as the Argentina international’s replacement but his club sensationally pulled the plug AFTER the window had closed. The French giants thought star striker Folarin Balogun would move to Everton and didn’t want to part with yet another key player after Maghnes Akliouche went to PSG. However, Monaco were left with egg on their face as Balogun opted against joining the Toffees and missed out on some much-needed profit as Camara also stayed, much to the anger of Chelsea. The Premier League giants moved quickly for a potential last-minute alternative to fill in for Fernandez. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Reports suggested ex-Liverpool and Newcastle star Georginio Wijnaldum was mooted after his departure from Al-Ettifaq but nothing came of it and he went to Al-Ittihad. And thus, Chelsea almost decided to bring in Sanches despite his dramatic fall from grace, which was littered with injury. The central midfielder burst onto the scene in 2015 at the age of 18 after rising through Benfica’s ranks and was quickly dubbed football’s next big thing. That led to a blockbuster move to Bayern Munich a year later but he couldn’t live up to expectations. That led to a surprise loan stint at Swansea in 2017 that proved to be disastrous as he only managed a mere total of 15 appearances. One of which saw him committing an unforgettable gaffe as he randomly passed the ball to an advertising board in a match that was funnily enough against Chelsea. Sanches looked to have regained his old self upon moving to Lille in 2019 as he registered 91 appearances across an impressive three-year stint. It looked like the former wonderkid got a new lease on life when PSG signed him but he only managed 27 appearances across all competitions. Comment now