Chelsea are reportedly close to finalising a loan transfer for Carney Chukwuemeka to Borussia Dortmund.
The playmaker has been restricted to just 130 minutes of football across five appearances in the EFL Cup and Conference League this season.
That is despite Enzo Maresca having been short of central-midfield options at time during the first half of the season and, particularly, over the Christmas and New Year period.
Despite that opportunity to hand the 21-year-old the game time that he needs and craves, it became increasingly clear that Chelsea were only interested in facilitating an exit for the England Under-21 international.
According to Sky Sports News, Chukwuemeka now appears to be in line to ply his trade at the Westfalenstadion for the rest of the season.
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Any option to buy?
Previous reports have indicated that the player has already made the journey to Germany in order to undergo a medical.
Furthermore, it has been suggested that Chelsea have insisted on a loan with a buy option in excess of a release clause that is present in Chukwuemeka's contract.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the buy option is over £40m, a clause that is currently unrealistic unless Chukwuemeka takes a starring role over the next four months.
In two-and-a-half years at Chelsea, the former Aston Villa youngster has accumulated just 746 minutes of football spread across 32 appearances.
Chukwuemeka is also yet to complete 90 minutes at senior club level in his career, something that Maresca will want to change if he is to return to compete for a place in his squad for 2025-26.
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Perfect move for all parties?
Dortmund have made a habit of signing young English talent and either kick-starting or progressing their careers, and they are in need of that for their own campaign.
Nico Kovac has just been appointed as Dortmund's new head coach at a time when Dortmund are down in 11th place in the Bundesliga table.
Although Dortmund feature in the last 24 of the Champions League, they are currently four points adrift of the last automatic qualification spot for next season.
Darren Plant
