Chelsea have submitted an improved offer to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, reports have revealed. With Maignan threatening to let his contract run down and leave on a free transfer next summer,

In any case, Chelsea were able to get a few things done in this initial period, signing a new striker in Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, and completing the pre-agreed arrivals of Dário Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.

Before the start of the transfer window, Liverpool identified their targets and ruthlessly set about signing them. Manchester City could also have at least two new players before this evening’s temporary closure of the transfer window. Chelsea need to look at both clubs and see how they fell so far behind.