Chelsea to complete €35m transfer on one condition

Tom Weber

Updated: 25 Feb 2025 09:45 CST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Borussia Dortmund will only be able to permanently sign Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka if they qualify for the Champions League, according to German media.

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The Bundesliga giants saved the England youth international from his Stamford Bridge nightmare during the January transfer window. Chukwuemeka had become a forgotten man under Enzo Maresca, although, in truth, he also failed to establish himself under previous coaches.

Injuries as well as the constant managerial turnover at Chelsea did not do Chukwuemeka's development any favours and a January departure became increasingly inevitable, especially after he was included in the Blues' summer 'Bomb Squad' but failed to secure a move at the time due to their inflated valuation of him.

After struggling to play regular football for more than two years, Chukwuemeka is taking some time to break into Borussia Dortmund's side, but he's already beginning to show promise despite having only played 24 minutes across two substitute appearances so far.

Dortmund boss Niko Kovac hailed his 20-minute cameo against Union Berlin as 'sensationally good' and predicted that the 'unique' midfielder "will give us joy if he stays healthy."

Chukwuemeka price revealed

Dortmund managed to secure a purchase option for Chukwuemka, but reports have varied regarding the exact amount that would have to be paid in the summer.

At the time of his move, Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Black and Yellow may have to cough up more than his whopping €48 million release clause.

However, this always seemed incredibly doubtful considering that it would have completely shattered Dortmund's transfer record. The club usually try to limit their spending on individual players to around €30m.

With this in mind, BILD's fresh reporting seems more realistic. The German outlet claims that Chukwuemeka's purchase option stands at €35m and that BVB will only be in a position to seriously consider triggering it if they manage to qualify for the Champions League.

Dortmund have already paid a €1m loan fee and are shelling out €6m on his wages until the end of the season, so it is easy to see why they would not be able to sign him permanently without the revenue from Europe's premier competition.

The German giants are in the midst of a rotten season and currently languish in tenth in the Bundesliga, seven points off Freiburg in fourth. If bought for €35m, Chukwuemeka would join Ousmane Dembele as Borussia Dortmund's most expensive signing ever.