Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital reportedly scrapped the proposed Deivid Washington sale due to scrutiny concerns.
During the closing 24 hours of the summer transfer window, reports emerged that Strasbourg - also owned by BlueCo - were planning to sign the unproven Brazilian.
Despite accumulating just 25 minutes of action across three senior appearances, it was claimed that a £17.68m deal was in the offing.
That would have seen Chelsea make a profit on the £17.1m deal that they had negotiated with Santos just a year earlier, subsequently bolstering their position with the Premier League's and UEFA's financial regulations.
However, in the latter hours of deadline day, it was widely alleged that the proposed transfer had fallen through, as did a loan switch to Championship side Hull City.
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Why did Chelsea scrap Washington transfer?
According to ESPN, it was the decision of the Chelsea hierarchy to pull out of the transfer, rather than any issues with the player.
The report suggests that both the Premier League and FIFA raised concerns over the transaction, a consequence of the benefits that it would bring Chelsea.
While teams owned by the same people conducting business is a regular occurrence, Chelsea would struggle to justify generating nearly £18m on the 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, the same outlet claims that Chelsea generated €9m through the sale of Diego Moreira to Strasbourg earlier in the transfer window, despite initial claims that the sale conducted was for approximately a quarter of that fee.
That piece of business is allegedly also being investigated, leading to Chelsea taking the approach that they have done with Washington.
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Could Washington now be considered for a place in Maresca's squad?
This could now progress into a complex situation given that the powers-that-be at Chelsea will want to ensure that Washington's valuation, in the eyes of the authorities, does not further reduce.
There is no prospect of other clubs making such a lucrative offer for a player who has scored just twice in 19 appearances as a professional.
With Chelsea having not signed another centre-forward, a situation may arise where Washington could be reintegrated into the senior ranks, even if he has little chance of any game time.
Unless Chelsea allow Washington to take up one of their remaining two foreign loan spots in order to gain football back in Brazil, they will not be strengthening their position, nor Washington's.
Darren Plant
