Chelsea eye ambitious €48m January deal

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Dec 2024 03:23 CST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Chelsea are insistent that they will not sanction a cut-price deal for Carney Chukwuemeka despite his limited minutes, according to a report.

The midfielder is set to depart Stamford Bridge in January after failing to consistently break into Enzo Maresca's side. Chukwuemeka's two and a half years at Chelsea have been very disappointing and he is determined to call time on spell in west London next month.

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Injuries have plagued the 21-year-old since his arrival, but even when fit, minutes have been hard to come by. Under Maresca, Chukwuemeka is barely even part of the 'B Team' that features in the Conference League and cup competitions.

The Austria-born English youth international has not played a single minute of Premier League football this season, so a belated transfer away, after failing to secure one in the summer, is an urgent matter as far as the player is concerned.

Chelsea not softening their stance

One reason why Chukwuemeka did not manage to leave the club in the previous window was that Chelsea insisted that he was only available for a permanent transfer and that his whopping €48 million release clause would have to be paid.

Recently, it was revealed that Chelsea still want the same amount and journalist Ben Jacobs has now confirmed once more that the Blues have not changed their stance on the matter.

He states that 'Chelsea are not considering a cut-price sale' despite Chukwuemeka's limited opportunities and that they are determined to secure the full value of his release clause, though it at least now appears that they are open to a loan.

Chelsea still believe that the midfielder has significant potential and deem their valuation of him realistic even though it seems quite apparent that clubs willing to pay that much for Chukwuemeka will be few and far between.