Chelsea have assured Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez they will try again for him in January.
Chelsea offered €50m for the Mexico international last week, but Ajax refused to do business - much to the frustration of Alvarez.
Instead, Chelsea signed Denis Zakaria from Juventus on-loan with an option to buy.
However, the Blues remain in contact with Alvarez's minders to assure him they will be back.
CBS soccer reporter Ben Jacobs declared: "Chelsea will be back for Ajax's Edson Alvarez in January. Club pushed for much of deadline day to see if a sale was possible. Player wanted the move and has been directly reassured Chelsea will return."