The next Pulisic? AC Milan 'obsessed' with Chelsea star

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Oct 2024 11:21 GMT
• 3 min read

AC Milan director Geoffrey Moncada is 'obsessed' with Carney Chukwuemeka, according to Italian media.

The midfielder's time at Chelsea has been anything but a success so far. Signed from Aston Villa as a huge talent, Chukwuemeka has struggled to get minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Several injuries disrupted the 21-year-old's 2023/24 season and the arrival of Enzo Maresca in the dugout has arguably been worse for him than his fitness problems.

READ MORE: Guiu's career 'nosedive' - Wonderkid has 'no future' at Chelsea

In the summer, Chukwuemeka was made part of Chelsea's 'Bomb Squad' and forced to train away from the first team in a bid to get him to leave the club. However, no move materialised, with the Blues insisting on a permanent transfer - with a hefty price tag - rather than a loan.

Chukwuemeka has a €48 million release clause in his contract and clubs were, unsurprisingly, unwilling to spend that much on a youngster who has played just 29 senior games for Chelsea since his €18m move in 2022.

Milan 'obsessed' with Chukwuemeka

Nevertheless, Chukwuemeka has no shortage of suitors. Barcelona are a club seemingly always linked with the 21-year-old, but strengthening the midfield is not an urgent priority given the options at Hansi Flick's disposal.

Instead, the youngster future may actually lie in Italy. According to Calciomercato, AC Milan director Geoffrey Moncada is 'obsessed' with the midfielder and would love to make him the latest former Chelsea star to arrive at the San Siro.

Stamford Bridge has been a happy hunting ground for the Rossoneri in recent years, signing Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic from Chelsea.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca - 'Every Chelsea game I feel bad, I feel shame'

However, Milan won't be able to sign Chukwuemeka unless they offload a non-EU player in January first. Hence a move for the Austria-born Englishman is deemed a 'wildcard' transfer at present as a lot of things would have to fall into place for the deal to go through.

Milan would prefer an initial loan, but this could prove tricky given Chelsea's stance. Additionally, the Serie A giants are interested in Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who has a bizarre agreement with Tottenham.