Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has spoken out about Edson Alvarez’s failed move to Chelsea before the transfer window closed last week.

The Blues reportedly tabled a €50m (£43m) offer for the Mexican international on deadline day and, as well as confirming the bid, Schreuder claims the midfielder was desperately disappointed that the transfer didn’t materialise:

“Chelsea reported themselves for Edson Alvarez on the final day and Alvarez wanted this. For one day he was feeling very down but yesterday he told me: ‘Coach, I am here and I will give 100 percent again’.”

Alvarez was just one of a number of midfielders that Chelsea pursued ahead of the deadline. The London club also attempted to sign both PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia before settling on a loan deal for Juventus’s Denis Zakaria.

It is believed the midfield situation will be revisited again during the January transfer window, mainly due to the fact that both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have less than twelve months remaining on their contracts.

Despite seemingly being willing to put pen to paper on extensions, there are still concerns that the Blues could lose two key figures if they sign pre-contract agreements with other teams in the New Year. It means strengthening in the middle of the park is a top priority. Whether that means making another offer for Alvarez, we shall have to wait and see.