Carney Chukwuemeka could be heading to Borussia Dortmund on loan as the 21-year-old looks to jumpstart his career following a difficult period at Stamford Bridge Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg. The England U21 international, who has found playing time hard to come by, might find the Bundesliga move exactly what he needs to develop his talents further.
Chukwuemeka's struggles at Chelsea
Life at Chelsea hasn't gone according to plan for Chukwuemeka since his £20 million move from Aston Villa in 2022. Injuries and limited opportunities have kept him away from regular first-team action, with just 12 appearances across all competitions last season.
This campaign has proven even more challenging, as he's managed only five outings, restricted to Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup matches, while still waiting for his Premier League debut under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The summer appointment of Maresca brought significant changes to the Chelsea squad, pushing Chukwuemeka further from first-team consideration. His absence from the recent FA Cup victory over Morecambe, where Maresca rotated the squad and included several players expected to leave in January, has sparked fresh discussions about his future at the club.
Dortmund's interest and potential swap deal
Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin has expressed keen interest in bringing Chukwuemeka to Germany. The Bundesliga club sees the midfielder's availability during the current transfer window as an opportunity to strengthen their squad, particularly drawn to his versatility and untapped potential.
The transfer discussions have taken an intriguing turn with the possibility of a swap deal involving Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The 20-year-old English winger has caught Chelsea's attention after contributing nine goals and five assists in 23 appearances this season.
Whilst a straight swap seems unlikely due to Bynoe-Gittens' higher market value, Chelsea might need to add cash to secure the deal. Both clubs are also considering loan moves with purchase options as an alternative arrangement.
Other interested clubs and Chelsea's transfer plans
The race for Chukwuemeka's signature includes West Ham United and his former club Aston Villa. West Ham's pursuit might depend on their new manager Graham Potter's plans, following his recent appointment after Julen Lopetegui's departure. Chelsea has also considered sending Chukwuemeka to their sister club Strasbourg, though this would require recalling another loan player to create space.
Chelsea's January transfer strategy focuses primarily on departures rather than arrivals, with Maresca continuing to reshape the squad. The manager has suggested that players like Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei might leave during this window.
With Dortmund currently leading the chase, Chukwuemeka appears set for a move away from Stamford Bridge. The Bundesliga club offers him an ideal platform to demonstrate his abilities and fulfil his potential, making this potential transfer beneficial for all parties involved.