Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could be on the verge of a move to Borussia Dortmund, with the Bundesliga giants reportedly initiating talks over a loan deal.
The 21-year-old, eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents, has endured a frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge and is seeking regular first-team football.
Since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £18 million, Chukwuemeka has struggled to cement his place in the Blues' squad. The midfielder, who was valued for his attacking instincts during his Villa days, has managed just 32 appearances in all competitions.
This season, under manager Enzo Maresca, the former Aston Villa midfielder has seen his playing time drastically reduced. He has featured in just five matches, with four of those coming in the UEFA Europa Conference League and one in the EFL Cup.
Injuries have also plagued his time in West London, with a knee injury early last season stalling his progress after an encouraging start that included a goal on his full debut.
Nuri Şahin’s Dortmund step in for Chukwuemeka
Sky Sports reports that Borussia Dortmund, 2024 UEFA Champions League finalists, have expressed interest in taking Chukwuemeka on loan. While Chelsea are reportedly open to the move, a permanent transfer appears unlikely, as the Blues value the young midfielder at €35-40 million—a fee considered steep by the German outfit.
For Chukwuemeka, a move to Dortmund represents a chance to revive his career. At Signal Iduna Park, he could join forces with fellow Nigerian-rooted talent Karim Adeyemi. Though Chukwuemeka has represented England at youth level, his Nigerian heritage continues to spark interest from the Nigeria Football Federation.
Strasbourg, Sevilla, Ipswich Town, and Celtic have also joined Borussia Dortmund in the race to secure Carney Chukwuemeka’s services.
