The Blues started their window slowly after a delay in sacking Antonio Conte and appointing Maurizio Sarri. When finally took charge in mid-July, he also got Jorginho with him from Napoli. The Brazil-born Italian became the club’s first signing.

After Sarri’s arrival, Chelsea were linked with a host of names but only a few of them were Chelsea’s actual targets. Many of their targets were Serie A superstars Sarri was familiar with but the Blues were beaten to the signing of some of their main targets or were unable to push a deal through.

Despite their positive end to the window, a glance at the transfer targets Chelsea failed to sign in the summer indicates that they may not have got all the players they wanted.

#4. Aleksandr Golovin

Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin was one of the stars of the World Cup but the young midfielder’s stock was already on the rise even before his performance at the World Cup.

Golovin was a summer transfer target for Juventus, Chelsea and Monaco. The Blues were reportedly front-runners for the 22-year-old’s signature for most of the window before Monaco stepped up their interest in the player.

Eventually, the Ligue 1 side were able to sign the player for a fee of around £30 million and on a five-year contract.

According to Monaco’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, the project Monaco had to offer for Golovin was more suited for a player involved in a transition phase and understandably so considering the gems that they have unearthed in recent seasons.

#3. Daniele Rugani

Daniele Rugani was one of the first names that was linked with Juventus after Sarri took over because the player and manager worked together at Empoli.

Rugani was not a regular starter at Juventus but he was one for the future because Giorgio Chiellini, Medhi Benatia, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci are aged 33, 31, 37 and 31 respectively.

Considering this, it is understandable that Juve were unwilling to part with a player who could take over the mantle.

The player’s agent, Davide Torchia, revealed to RMC Sport that Chelsea had a huge offer for the player rejected by Juventus.

#2. Alisson Becker

Chelsea were also linked with a Serie A star that Sarri didn’t work with during his time in Italy. Brazil’s first choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe last season and arguably the best goalkeeper in Serie A last season.

The 25-year-old shot stopper is known for his incredible composure and skill on the ball. Sarri’s system requires such a goalkeeper and there wasn’t a better option at that time.

Chelsea initially baulked at Roma’s asking price and were keeping tabs on the player when their rivals Liverpool made a swift move to sign him for a then world record fee.

According to reports, Sarri even made a last-ditch attempt to convince the player to join him at Chelsea but Alisson already had his mind set on a move to Liverpool.

Chelsea eventually signed a replacement for Thibaut Courtois when they paid the £71.6 million release clause of Athletic Bilbao’s 23-year-old goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. In the process, they broke the record for the most expensive goalkeeper which Alisson held only for a few days.

#1. Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain is another player that worked with Sarri and was a big transfer target for Chelsea.

Higuain holds the record for most goals ever in a Serie A season when he scored 36 goals in 2015/16 under Sarri at Napoli. Incredibly, the second highest scorer in the league that season only had 19 goals.

The Argentine was familiar with Sarri’s system and thrived in it. Hence, he became Chelsea’s numero uno target.

Despite Sarri wanting him at Chelsea, Higuain opted to move to Milan, on loan. Upon joining Milan, he revealed the reason behind his decision to snub Chelsea.

Even though Chelsea missed out on Higuain, they didn’t opt to sign another striker in the summer.

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