Michael Olise U Turn: 7 Times Chelsea Missed Out on Players and Who They Signed Instead

Chelsea continue to be the money leaders of the transfer window, having already spent over £300mil, including the British transfer record fee of £115m for Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Their transfer battle with Liverpool has been one of the most talked about this window, with the Blues coming out on top with Caicedo and one of the Reds' priority targets Romeo Lavia.

However, they tasted rejection in their pursuit of Crystal Palace winger and their former academy star Michael Olise, who made a U-turn and signed a new contract despite having personal terms agreed and Chelsea activating his £35mil release clause.

Sports Brief looks at five times the Londoners missed out on players and who they signed as replacements.

1. Steven Gerrard

Off the back of winning the 2005 UEFA Champions League on that dramatic night in Istanbul, Steven Gerrard was the subject of a £32m bid from Chelsea and had already agreed personal terms, but as reported by talkSPORT, he made a U-turn after threats to his family. The Blues signed Michael Essien instead for £24m, and he was part of a successful era at the club.

2. Edin Dzeko

Chelsea signed full-back Emerson Palmieri from AS Roma in January 2018 and also wanted striker Edin Dzeko but failed to agree on personal terms. The Blues turned to Olivier Giroud from Arsenal, and it was a successful buy, one of the many they bought from their rivals that made it at Stamford Bridge.

3. Andrea Pirlo

What could have been but did not? After winning the 2009/10 Premier League title, Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring in midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, but according to Planet Football, AC Milan objected only because they lost Kaka in the same window to Real Madrid. Nemanja Matic was signed instead. He left and returned before having a successful time at the Bridge.

4. Ronaldinho

Roman Abramovich wanted him in 2004, but Jose Mourinho wanted Didier Drogba. Roman attempted again in 2007, but Barcelona were not willing to sell. Florent Malouda was signed in his stead, and Nicolas Anelka followed in January, but both were insufficient to reclaim the title from Manchester United.

5. Dani Alves

Dani Alves chose Real Madrid over Chelsea when he wanted to leave Sevilla in 2007, and the deal was considered done before Barcelona came in at the last minute and hijacked it. Mourinho had to settle for a backup option of Juliano Belletti, the 2006 Champions League-winning goal scorer.

6. Roberto Carlos

It was the same summer the Blues missed out on arguably the greatest full-backs of Brazilian football. Roberto Carlos confirmed he was close to joining Chelsea and even met Roman Abramovich, but few details stopped the deal. No one was signed in his stead.

7. Sergio Aguero

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Chelsea won two consecutive Premier League titles between 2004 and 2006 before Manchester United won three straight titles. This prompted the club to hit the market for a striker. Sergio Aguero, who had helped Atletico Madrid to the Europa League title, was named, but his wage demands didn't meet Chelsea's offer, and the deal never happened. Daniel Sturridge was signed from Manchester City, and Aguero joined the Citizens two years later.

Rivals taunt Chelsea over Olise

Sports Brief reported that rival fans trolled Chelsea after their former academy star Olise signed a new four-year deal at Selhurst Park, ending their interest in him.

The trolls targeted the Blues after they bullied Liverpool off two deals, only for a player to reject them for a small club like their South London neighbours.