Saudi club pushing to sign Chelsea star with post-deadline bid made

Chelsea’s transfer activity for 2025 is over with the passing of the UK’s deadline day, at least in terms of incomings, but it’s an entirely different story when it comes to potential exits.

The transfer windows in Saudi Arabia and Turkey are still open for business, meaning certain players could still leave Stamford Bridge over the coming week.

Chelsea have already raised £288 million in outgoings, allowing them to make a small £3 million profit despite spending £285 million on new signings this summer (BBC) – and their profits could yet increase as the futures of certain ‘bomb squad’ members remain up in the air.

Raheem Sterling is chief among Enzo Maresca’s unwanted men who failed to secure a move away before the September 1 cut-off, and BlueCo will be desperate to rid themselves of his £325,000-per-week wages at the nearest opportunity.

Despite some reports of Sterling being in advanced talks to leave Chelsea at stages during the summer, a move away for the 30-year-old never materialised, and time is running out for the forward to leave so he can attempt to stake a claim in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Like Chilwell, who was on around £200,000-per-week and deemed surplus by Maresca, you can’t help but wonder if Chelsea will make the decision to cut their losses and terminate Sterling’s deal so he can leave as a free agent.

Another player who’s firmly out of Maresca’s plans and saw a transfer away fail pre-September is defender Axel Disasi.

The Frenchman enjoyed a solid loan spell at Aston Villa during the second half of 2024/2025, attracting summer interest from the likes of Villa, Wolves, Sunderland, Newcastle and Juventus, but none of the sides stepped up their interest.

According to the BBC, Disasi rejected moves to Bournemouth and West Ham too, but with options in Europe now growing thin, a move to Saudi could be his best bet.

Neom SC make bid for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi

According to a report by Chelsea News, SPL side Neom SC are pushing to sign Disasi and have made a cheeky £17 million offer for the 27-year-old.

While Disasi would prefer to remain on the continent, his choices are to potentially accept Neom’s advances or spend another four months sitting on the side at Cobham.

Chelsea apparently want closer to £25 million if they’re to green-light a sale, and Disasi’s hesitation over a switch to the Middle East means this transfer still has some way to go.

Turkey is also still an option for the ex-Monaco man, but as things stand, there has been no suggestion of interest from that part of Europe.