Chelsea are willing to accept offers for Carney Chukwuemeka in January amid loan interest from multiple top clubs.
This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that clubs are not interested in pursuing a permanent deal at this stage.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that Chukwuemeka is keen to leave the club in January as a result of the lack of first-team football he has been afforded this season.
The attacking midfielder has played just 130 minutes across five appearances so far this season, with his only start coming in the Europa Conference League win v Astana.
Brown previously told Football Insider that clubs in the Premier League and in Europe have been keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old’s situation at Stamford Bridge.
However, his lack of first-team football since joining the Blues from Aston Villa in 2022 has put clubs off of spending big money on a permanent move.
Instead, it has been said they will explore the possibility of a loan move in January so that they can assess his level with a potential future agreement in mind.
Reports have claimed Chelsea could demand as much as £40million to let Chukwuemeka leave for good – a fee which interested clubs are unlikely to meet.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in player development and recruitment at the top level after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that a loan move is more likely in January, with the Blues now open to offers.
“I’m expecting him to move on both for his and Chelsea’s sake,” he told Football Insider.
“Ideally, they’d like to recoup some money from him, but I don’t think any of the interested clubs will be willing to pay what they want.
“He’s still got some proving to do at this level because he’s hardly played at this level.
“So from what I’ve heard, clubs are looking at a potential loan move, and Chelsea would be open to that.
“He can go on loan in January, prove what he can do, which would help him develop, help Chelsea get him off the books, and help the club he joins.
“Then, over that six-month spell, he can put himself in the shop window and earn a permanent move.
“From what I’ve heard, that’s the most likely turn of events in the transfer window.”
In other news, Chelsea are preparing to receive bids for Christopher Nkunku
