Chelsea have made contact with free-agent midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as they explore the possibility of adding the experienced Dutchman to their squad without a transfer fee, according to reports circulating on Thursday. The 35-year-old, who previously starred for Liverpool, became available after departing Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq earlier this summer, and Chelsea are said to be assessing whether he could provide depth and know-how in midfield.
Elsewhere in the Premier League rumor mill, Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move for Bournemouth's young French forward Eli Junior Kroupi. The 20-year-old has caught the Gunners' attention, and a formal approach could materialize when the January transfer window opens.
Arsenal were also linked with a more ambitious target before the summer window shut. Assistant manager Gabriel Heinze, an Argentine himself, is understood to have personally reached out to Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez about a potential switch to the Emirates Stadium. However, Inter Milan reportedly shut down any discussion of a deal involving their star striker, leaving the approach dead in the water.
On Tyneside and in the Midlands, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are both expected to maintain their interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Cameroonian forward Christian Kofane. The 20-year-old attacker remains firmly on the radar of both clubs, who are likely to renew their pursuit when the transfer market reopens in the new year.
Manchester United, meanwhile, opted against bringing in a new left-back before the deadline. The Old Trafford club reportedly could not find a candidate at that position who met their required standard, prompting them to hold off rather than rush through a signing purely to fill a squad gap.
At Goodison Park, Everton turned down a last-minute offer from Chelsea worth £65m for midfielder James Garner. The bid, which arrived late in the window, was rejected largely because of its timing rather than its value, according to reports. Despite the disappointment of missing out on incoming targets before the deadline, Everton are not expected to pursue any free agents to strengthen their squad in the short term.
Former Manchester United and France international Anthony Martial remains without a club following his departure and is reportedly hoping to find a way back into the Premier League. The 30-year-old striker's situation will be one to watch as clubs assess their options for reinforcements later in the year.
In a separate development, Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has reportedly agreed to join Turkish giants Trabzonspor. The move would see the 29-year-old Brazilian earn a salary reported to be three times higher than his current wages at Spurs, a significant financial incentive behind the proposed transfer.
Finally, Chelsea could find themselves competing with fierce rivals Liverpool for the signature of Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. The Senegalese international, 22, was close to completing a deadline-day switch to Stamford Bridge before the deal ultimately fell through. Should Chelsea look to revive their interest in Camara, they may have to fend off a determined push from Liverpool for his services.
With the transfer window now closed for the immediate term, attention turns to how these various pursuits might develop before the January market opens, particularly regarding Chelsea's midfield reinforcements and Arsenal's forward-line planning.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport, Foot Mercato, The Independent, The Mail, Football Insider, The Express, Talksport, Teamtalk, The Telegraph, and Fabrizio Romano.