The dust has barely settled on a frantic summer window but the rumour mill is already turning again, and Thursday's gossip column carries enough names to keep supporters busy well into the weekend. Chelsea are at the centre of several storylines, Arsenal have January already circled on the calendar, and a familiar face could yet find his way back into the Premier League picture.

Chelsea make their move for Wijnaldum

The headline item, as reported by Foot Mercato, is that Chelsea have made contact with Georginio Wijnaldum over a free transfer. The Dutch midfielder, now 35, left Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ettifaq earlier this summer and is available without a fee. Wijnaldum spent four celebrated years at Liverpool before a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 that never quite fulfilled its promise. Whether Chelsea's interest develops into something concrete remains to be seen, but the noises out of west London suggest the club are at least exploring the option.

There is further Chelsea business to unpick. According to TalkSport, Everton turned down a late £65m bid from Stamford Bridge for James Garner in the final hours of the window, the Toffees deciding the offer arrived too late to act on. Garner stays on Merseyside for now, though a January approach cannot be ruled out if Chelsea's midfield situation demands it. Meanwhile, any renewed Chelsea interest in Monaco's Lamine Camara — a 22-year-old Senegal midfielder whose deadline-day move collapsed — will run into competition from Liverpool, according to the same source.

Arsenal plan January move for Kroupi

Arsenal are casting an eye towards Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi, with the Independent reporting that the club will consider a move for the 20-year-old French forward in January. Kroupi is one of the more intriguing young talents in the Championship this season and the Gunners clearly feel the window may offer an opportunity to get ahead of potential rivals. Separately, the Mail reports that Arsenal assistant manager Gabriel Heinze approached his fellow Argentine Lautaro Martinez about a potential summer move, only for Inter Milan to make clear the striker was not for sale at any price.

Richarlison heading to Turkey, Everton calm on free agents

Tottenham's Richarlison appears to be on his way out of north London. Fabrizio Romano reports that the 29-year-old Brazilian has agreed to join Turkish club Trabzonspor, with his proposed salary said to be three times his current Spurs earnings. It represents a significant financial upgrade for the forward and a welcome clearance of the wage bill for Ange Postecoglou's side.

Over at Goodison Park, Everton are playing down any prospect of dipping into the free-agent market, with the Telegraph reporting the club have no plans to bring in players currently without contracts despite what proved to be a difficult end to the summer window. The Blues also knocked back late interest in Anthony Martial's situation, with the former Manchester United and France striker, now 30, still searching for a route back into top-flight football.

More names to watch

  • Christian Kofane — Newcastle and Aston Villa will renew their pursuit of the 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward when the January window opens, according to Football Insider.
  • Manchester United — The Express reports United chose not to sign a left-back in the final days of the summer window because no option of sufficient quality was available on the market.

January is still some months away but the business of the last 24 hours makes clear that several clubs are already doing their groundwork. For Chelsea, the Wijnaldum picture could sharpen quickly.

Frequently asked

Is Georginio Wijnaldum joining Chelsea?
Chelsea have made contact with Wijnaldum about a free transfer, according to Foot Mercato, but no deal has been confirmed. The 35-year-old left Saudi club Al-Ettifaq earlier this summer and is available without a fee.
Who is Eli Junior Kroupi and why are Arsenal interested?
Eli Junior Kroupi is a 20-year-old French forward currently at Bournemouth. The Independent reports Arsenal will consider making a move for him in the January transfer window, though no bid has been made yet.
Is Richarlison leaving Tottenham?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Richarlison has agreed to join Turkish club Trabzonspor. The 29-year-old Brazilian is reportedly set to earn around three times his current Spurs wage at his new club.