By Milcah Tanimu

Chelsea have made their stance clear on the potential departure of Anglo-Nigerian midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, according to reports from The Athletic via Chelsea News. The club has stated that they are open to letting Chukwuemeka leave on loan, but only if the deal includes an obligation to buy.

Chukwuemeka, who has struggled to secure a place in Enzo Maresca’s plans, was notably absent from Chelsea’s matchday squad in their recent Premier League clash against Manchester City. Maresca has indicated that the young midfielder is unlikely to get significant game time if he remains at Stamford Bridge, prompting discussions about his potential departure.

AC Milan had initially shown interest in Chukwuemeka, but their pursuit cooled after Chelsea insisted on a permanent transfer rather than a loan. Napoli is now considering a loan deal, hoping to negotiate terms with Chelsea following the resolution of Romelu Lukaku’s situation.

Crystal Palace has emerged as the frontrunner for Chukwuemeka’s signature, with the club looking to strengthen their squad after Michael Olise’s departure. While Palace is financially capable of securing a permanent deal for the England youth international, his wages remain a significant hurdle in the negotiations.