Chelsea pull plug on controversial transfer after concerns raised

Chelsea cancelled Deivid Washington’s move to Strasbourg on transfer deadline day amid fears that it could lead to reprisals from the Premier League and FIFA.

The deal was agreed on Friday for the 19-year-old to move from Chelsea to sister club Strasbourg for €21m (£17.69m), having signed for the Blues just last year for €16m (£13.48m).

The Brazilian signed from Santos has made three appearances for Chelsea, totally 28 minutes for the Blues, making his sale at significant profit an eye-catching one.

Both clubs are owned by Todd Boehly’s American consortium BlueCo and Strasbourg were due to break their transfer record for the teenager.

However, ESPN report that both FIFA and the Premier League raised concerns over the deal and Chelsea have pulled the plug on it.

The report states that Strasbourg were ‘not keen on Washington’ and not even in the market for a forward before they were about to make him their record signing.

Diego Moreira, a 20-year-old winger Chelsea signed from Benfica in 2023 was sold to Strasbourg earlier this summer and that move is reportedly under review by FIFA and the Premier League.

Moreira’s only appearance for Chelsea came in a Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon before he was sold to the French club for €9m (£7.58m).

Washington will remain at Stamford Bridge until at least January, but there were a number of exits before the transfer window closed on Friday.

Romelu Lukaku left for Napoli on a permanent deal, while Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah and Djorde Petrovic all departed on loan moves on deadline day.

Enzo Maresca’s ever-changing squad take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

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