Borussia Dortmund are in advanced talks to wrap up a permanent transfer deal for Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka, according to reports.
Chukwuemeka spent time on loan at Dortmund last season and the German club have long been trying to convince Chelsea into allowing the England youth international to join them in a second temporary switch.
But the Blues have consistently rejected Dortmund’s loan offers and are only willing to offload Chukwuemeka on a permanent basis.
It seems a deal is now edging closer with Fabrizio Romano posting on X that Chelsea and Dortmund are finally in ‘advanced talks’ over a sale.
The update comes after the Daily Mail reported that Italian club Juventus had asked Chelsea about Chukwuemeka in an attempt to hijack the move.
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The outlet adds that Chelsea are holding out for £40m to sell the 21-year-old midfielder this summer – or at least a figure close to that asking price.
Earlier this month, French journalist Sebastien Vidal claimed that Chukwuemeka was ‘set to join’ Dortmund in a £22m deal – but it looks like he could be sold for a higher amount closer to Chelsea’s valuation.
Chelsea’s Anselmino agrees to Dortmund loan
Dortmund are also set to bring in a second Chelsea player, Aaron Anselmino, on a loan deal which does not include a buy option.
It’s believed that Chelsea told Dortmund that they could only get Anselminoif they signed Chukwuemeka permanently instead of a loan deal.
Anselmino has ‘already said yes’ to joining Dortmund on loan as Chelsea and Dortmund continue negotiations on a final price for Chukwuemeka.
It is said that Chukwuemeka ‘strongly wants’ a move to Dortmund, where he would link up with fellow England youth international Jobe Bellingham.
Chukwuemeka has made a total of 32 appearances for Chelsea since he joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £20m deal two years ago.
But he was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and now seems destined for a switch to the Westfalenstadion.
Along with Juventus, West Ham and Napoli had also been linked with a move for Chukwuemeka before Dortmund entered advanced talks.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovac is a huge fan of Chukwuemeka, who made 17 appearances on loan at the Bundesliga side last season.
‘The way he takes the ball and carries it, the way he immediately turns in the direction of play, that is really unique,’ Kovac said in February.
‘He has very good acceleration and technique. The boy will give us joy, if he stays healthy.’