Chelsea considered signing free agent Bacary Sagna before snapping up Davide Zappacosta from Torino in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
Following Alex Oxlade-Chambelain’s decision to reject Chelsea in favour of Liverpool, Antonio Conte was left scrambling to find cover at right wing-back for his squad towards the end of the window.
They eventually signed Torino full-back and Italy international Zappacosta in the final hours of the window, but according to French sports daily L’Equipe, the Italian was not the only option on Chelsea's radar.
It has been claimed that the Premier League champions almost pushed ahead with a move to sign former Arsenal and Manchester City full-back Sagna on a free transfer.
The defender has been looking for a new club since leaving Manchester City at the end of last season and almost ended up at Chelsea in the final hours of the transfer window.
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While he is generating interest from clubs such as Marseille, Besiktas and Bursaspor, Sagna prefers staying in the Premier League and has offers on his table from top tier English clubs.
West Ham and Leicester City have both been linked with Sagna, who is claimed to have recently turned down Brighton.
As a free agent he can move outside the transfer window system.
