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August 31, 2024
On the day of the transfer deadline, the sudden twist in Deivid Washington’s projected move from Chelsea to Strasbourg, which caused a stir on social media, was unexpected. After his significant move to Santos in 2023, the Brazilian forward was anticipated to leave Stamford Bridge after just one season.
The planned deal’s pricing, which raised a few eyebrows, was a significant factor. The Blues reportedly reached an agreement to transfer the striker to the French team for approximately £17.5 million, generating a profit of £4 million in the process. During his tenure, Washington only made two appearances for the West London club, playing for just 28 minutes overall.
Although the circumstances surrounding the planned sale got people talking, it is not unusual for the value of a promising 19-year-old attacker to rise. Chelsea is desperate to avoid further problems with the Premier League’s sustainability and profitability regulations.
The proprietors of the two clubs in question are the same.
The shared ownership of Chelsea and Strasbourg is the primary cause of the outcry over the purchase. BlueCo, the common proprietor, owns both clubs, raising questions about how much money the Premier League team made from the transaction. Similar concerns were voiced when Savio traded Girona, also owned by City Football Group, for Manchester City earlier in the summer.
During the summer transfer window, the Blues sold many young players to raise money to meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. These rules strive to guarantee that clubs stay within their means and do not excessively rely on owner investment or unsustainable levels of debt. Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, and Ian Maatsen are just a handful of the players who have left Stamford Bridge.
Washington would have been Chelsea’s record acquisition, but ESPN sources have also stated that Strasbourg wasn’t seeking a forward and wasn’t very interested in the player. So Chelsea, who needed to raise €20 million in their accounts, was keen for the trade to happen, potentially impacting their financial situation.
Online, many rival supporters have taken the situation seriously and ultimately charged Chelsea with breaking the law. One fan commented: RC Strasbourg is owned by Todd Boehly as well. Proper money laundering club. @premierleague, are you blind? This club must get relegated.” Meanwhile, a second comment said: “This must be illegal lol.”
There have been criticisms of the clubs before.
According to sources from ESPN, FIFA and the Premier League are reviewing a similar move made earlier in the summer, involving Diego Moreira moving from Chelsea to Strasbourg for €9 million. It seems lightning struck twice on the West End, as the Blues reportedly canceled the deadline-day deal after the governing bodies voiced concerns again.
As Washington’s ties with Chelsea strengthened, his potential transfer would set a new benchmark, breaking Strasbourg’s previous record for the highest transfer fee. The growing relationship between the two clubs is already evident, as several players have moved on loan between them. Notably, Djordje Petrovic was loaned to Strasbourg from Chelsea for the 2024–2025 season, underscoring the increasingly collaborative partnership. These moves reflect a strategic alignment between Chelsea and Strasbourg, indicating more player exchanges and potential transfers in the future.
Chelsea’s transfer policy has been closely monitored since the current administration succeeded Roman Abramovich in 2022. The club has had a talent revolving door on the blue side of London, and Todd Boehly has been the face of the firm behind these tumultuous dealings, which have included high-profile transfers and controversial sales. Even after moving on from players like Omari Hutchinson and Conor Gallagher, Enzo Maresca still has an overly large roster.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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