Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has revealed Edson Alvarez asked to leave the club on transfer deadline day with Chelsea showing a late interest in the midfielder.
The Blues were desperate to sign a new central midfielder in the final hours of the window. Chelsea were interested in signing Alvarez and saw a £43million offer turned down by Ajax on the penultimate day of the window.
That did not deter Chelsea, though, and they continued talks on deadline day. However, Ajax didn't budge with their stance and with the Dutch transfer window already shut at that time, the club would have been unable to sign a direct replacement for Alvarez.
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football.london understands if Chelsea were earlier with their £43m bid, then Ajax would have been more open to selling the Mexico international. Alvarez wanted to join Chelsea, as was reported by several European outlets, and Schreuder confirmed a request the midfielder made.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: "Chelsea reported themselves for Edson Alvarez on the final day and Alvarez wanted this. For one day he was feeling very down by yesterday he told me: 'Coach, I am here and I will give 100 per cent again."
After missing out on Alvarez, Chelsea switched their attention to Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria. The Blues signed the Switzerland international on a season-long loan deal with an option to make it permanent next summer.
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, when speaking to the media ahead of the Blues' win vs West Ham United on Saturday, confirmed the club are still trying to sort Zakaria's work permit out before he can make his debut.
He said: "I think we need to work on the latest information and understand that we need to work on the work permit. He will not be in the squad for tomorrow – it's too close. We hope for Tuesday and then for Fulham."
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