Chelsea are now open to allowing midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka to leave on loan this month, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly interested in signing the 21-year-old.
Chukwuemeka has had limited playing time this season under Blues manager Enzo Maresca, who had acknowledged in the summer that the midfielder would not play a significant role this year. He has yet to feature in a Premier League matchday squad and has only played 130 minutes across five cup appearances.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Chelsea were only considering permanent offers for Chukwuemeka, whose contract includes a release clause around £40m. However, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now suggests that a loan move is on the table.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Chelsea has made it clear that any loan offer must not include a purchase clause and that the player’s full salary must be covered.
Dortmund are in discussions to bring Chukwuemeka to Germany, but Chelsea could still choose to send him to their sister club, Strasbourg. However, this would require terminating one of their three current loan deals with the French side — with Andrey Santos, Djordje Petrovic, and Caleb Wiley all on loan there.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Dortmund have been ongoing this month, with the Bundesliga club also pursuing a deal for Renato Veiga. The Portugal international is reportedly eager to leave Stamford Bridge for a team that can offer him more playing time at centre-back.