Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Chelsea tried to sign Jules Kounde in the transfer window.
The Blues were rumoured to be interested in the Sevilla centre-back throughout the summer, but a switch never materialised.
It was reported that Chelsea agreed a fee for Kounde, before the Spanish side increased their asking price which led to the deal collapsing.
Tuchel has now confirmed the club's failed attempt to buy the 22-year-old, being quoted in the Evening Standard as saying: "It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul [Niguez] and it was very, very late, but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team."
Chelsea did manage to sign Saul on loan from Atletico Madrid on deadline day, having also brought in Romelu Lukaku earlier in the window, and Tuchel declared he was pleased with the club's business.
"I assured everybody that I'm also happy if we cannot bring a player in," he said. "We will find the solution within the squad. We will push players within the squad."
The Blues will resume their Premier League season against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Olly Allen
