Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 7 February 2025 8:22, UK

Carney Chukwuemeka could leave Chelsea on a permanent deal during the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the 21-year-old has a release clause in his contract with the Blues.

The midfielder joined German giants Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season in the January transfer window, but there is no obligation to buy within that contract and that means he will return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Chukwuemeka will therefore have to impress the Bundesliga side during his loan spell to convince them to sign him permanently during the summer.

The youngster had already attracted interest from other Premier League teams in January as Football Insider revealed he turned down loan moves to Everton and West Ham.

Carney Chukwuemeka’s Chelsea release clause revealed

Chukwuemeka was struggling to break into the Chelsea squad this season under Enzo Maresca, having featured just five times across all competitions.

None of those minutes took place in the Premier League and the midfielder has failed to play a full 90 minutes all season, with most of his appearances being late cameos from the bench.

Chukwuemeka has proven he is Premier League quality during his previous loan move at Aston Villa and under previous Chelsea management, having played 37 times in the English top flight.

Chelsea have an inflated squad after multiple busy transfer windows since Todd Boehly took charge at Stamford Bridge, and that is something the club are looking to change this summer.

Chelsea to sell big-name stars this summer

The Blues have several players out on loan at the moment with Joao Felix and Ben Chilwell also departing during the January transfer window.

Those players are expected to find themselves in similar positions to where they were prior to leaving when they return for pre-season training.

Chelsea will need to sell those players before making any further signings during the summer transfer window to ensure there is room in the squad.

Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that the Blues are expected to be active in the summer, therefore the current loanees will likely be trimmed on a permanent basis.

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