Barcelona make Chelsea star new ‘Plan A’ after completing Dani Olmo signing

Robin Bairner

10 Aug 2024 09:02 BST
3 min read

Barcelona have turned to Chelsea star Carney Chukwuemeka as a potential summer signing following the Blaugrana’s successful capture of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.

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It has been a slow summer transfer market for Hansi Flick’s side, who have been hampered by financial issues and have been unable to land their ultimate goal in Athletic Club Nico Williams, who has elected to remain in Bilbao for one more year.

There are indications, however, that their pace is about to pick up, with Chelsea youngster Chukwuemeka earmarked to follow Conor Gallagher to LaLiga. Sport reports that he has been made Barcelona’s ‘Plan A’ should they complete a move for another midfielder – something that Flick has reservations over.

Current ETV

Carney Chukwuemeka

M (C)

Chelsea

Carney Chukwuemeka

M (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€3.3M - €5.5M

The Spanish source indicates that in recent weeks, Barcelona have already opened transfer talks with the Premier League side about the player.

While Chelsea want to retain the 20-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value of just €4.4m, Sport says that he “sense that he will have a very limited role with Enzo Maresca and would be willing to wear the Barcelona shirt”.

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Why Barcelona want Carney

Chukwuemeka has struggled to make an impact at Chelsea since arriving on an €18 million deal from Aston Villa in 2022, but that has not put Barcelona off.

Indeed, the Catalans are said to like his dynamic and versatile profile.

On the other hand, Flick is not convinced by the deal. It is claimed that he feels that Barcelona are fully stocked in midfield and that any more additions should be made elsewhere in the team. The former Bayern Munich boss has been left impressed with the performances of academy graduates Casado and Bernal in pre-season.

The performances of these players have left the deal in standby, but things can change quickly at the end of the transfer window and Barca sporting director Deco is keeping this deal very much in mind.

Relations between Barcelona and Chelsea, however, seem positive, with the latter signing Marc Gueu from the Catalans earlier this summer.