Chelsea's Late Sander Berge Interest Ended Without a Bid

BBC Sport has reported that Chelsea explored a late move for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge during the closing stages of the summer transfer window. The London club did not make a formal bid, however, and Fulham considered the 28-year-old Norway international not for sale. The interest therefore did not develop into a transfer before the window closed.

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Chelsea had intended to recruit a central midfielder while preparing for Enzo Fernandez to leave for Manchester City. Fernandez was subsequently sold for £125 million, but Chelsea reached the end of the window without securing a replacement. That left a planned area of reinforcement unresolved despite activity around several possible targets.

Berge was one of the options Chelsea considered as the deadline approached. He joined Fulham from Burnley in 2023 and has since made 78 appearances for the Cottagers, establishing himself as an important member of their side. His Premier League experience also includes spells with Sheffield United and Burnley.

Chelsea eventually concentrated their deadline-day efforts on Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara and Roma's Manu Kone, according to the BBC report. The club believed it had reached a £47 million agreement for Camara in the final hours of the window, but that proposed deal collapsed minutes before the deadline. Reports of an approach for Everton's James Garner were disputed by Everton manager David Moyes.

The absence of another central midfielder was evident in Chelsea's loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Manager Xabi Alonso ended the match with right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto operating in central midfield. BBC Sport reported that recruiting for the position is likely to become a priority again in the January window, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott identified as one of Chelsea's longer-term targets.

Chelsea may receive a nearer-term lift from Moises Caicedo. The midfielder missed the defeat at Emirates Stadium because of injury, but the club hopes he can return for Saturday's home match against Hull. For now, Berge remains at Fulham, while Chelsea must manage their midfield options after a late search that ended without a completed signing.