More income for Chelsea? Borussia Dortmund chief makes Carney Chukwuemeka transfer claim with midfielder set to return from loan spell after FIFA Club World Cup exit

Reported by talkSPORT, Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has revealed he hopes to keep Chukwuemeka at the club, though the midfielder is set to return to Stamford Bridge following the end of the Club World Cup. A permanent move for Chukwuemeka may cost in the region of £40million (€46.3m/$54.6m), a price the German giants would hope to negotiate down.

Former Aston Villa youth prospect Chukwuemeka has only made 32 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions since arriving from Villa Park for £20m (€23.1m/$27.3m) as an 18-year-old. He made over half that number of appearances in just half a season with Dortmund and it may be believed that a permanent move abroad to Germany would be the right decision for his development.

Kehl said after Dortmund's Club World Cup exit: "Carney’s loan ends today. That was what we agreed with Chelsea. Now, let’s see. We will definitely have some more discussions in the next few days about his situation. I think it was a good move from Carney to join us.

"Now let's see how we manage everything. It won't be easy, but for sure we will try to keep him because he's a very good player. This topic is something for the future, and right now I don’t know what will happen.

"It's always easier to loan a player than to buy one, especially within Carney’s [price] range. But let's see," he continued. "We are not that far advanced [in talks] at the moment, but I can tell you that we are pretty close to the player, and he loves Dortmund, so this is quite good. Everything else will be decided between Chelsea and us. That won't be tomorrow. That won't be on Tuesday. I think it will take some more days."

The young midfielder will hope to soon know where he will be playing his football next season. His development has slowed slightly in recent years, due in part to injuries and in part to the huge influx of players brought in at Chelsea under Todd Boehly. Chukwuemeka hasn't represented England at any age group since the U20s in 2023 and will hope that a permanent move to Dortmund furthers his emerging career at both club and international level.