After TEAMtalk revealed Chelsea have put Carney Chukwuemeka on their exit list, Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed he can leave this summer – and it could be for AC Milan.
Chukwuemeka only joined Chelsea last summer in a transfer from Aston Villa. However, the teenager only started two of the 14 Premier League appearances he made after his move. He did not record any goals or assists in that time.
Last month, TEAMtalk sources revealed that Chelsea will make Chukwuemeka available this summer if an appropriate offer to take him elsewhere on loan arrives.
And this weekend, Sky Sport Italia‘s Di Marzio has confirmed that Chukwuemeka features on Chelsea’s list of expendables as they aim to reduce their bloated squad size.
Di Marzio’s revelation came in an update on the transfer plans of AC Milan, who have added the 19-year-old to their own wish list.
Milan have already been looking at another Chelsea midfielder who is surplus to requirements in the shape of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is about to enter the final year of his contract. But now, Chukwuemeka has caught their attention too.
According to Di Marzio, Milan might be able to sign him on loan with an option to buy. His contract at Chelsea is still valid until 2028, yet he could be due for a more sudden change.
One benefit of leaving Chelsea for Milan would be that Chukwuemeka could participate in next season’s Champions League. In contrast, Chelsea do not have any European football on offer for Mauricio Pochettino’s first season in charge.
It remains to be seen what plans Pochettino would have for Chukwuemeka if he was to stay at Stamford Bridge. But there seems to be a growing sense that he could be on his way out.
Chukwuemeka has options in four countries
Last month, our sources named Sheffield United and Burnley as two of the other suitors for the England under-20 international after they each won promotion to the Premier League.
We also learned of interest from clubs in the Netherlands and Germany. Now, a move to Italy is seemingly in the equation for Chukwuemeka as well.
In recent years, Milan have taken the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud from Chelsea. They were both a part of the Rossoneri squad that won Serie A in the 2021-22 season.
The following campaign wasn’t as productive, but it still culminated in a fourth-place finish. As such, Milan might have more to look forward to next season.
In the bigger picture, Pochettino might be able to build up an exciting long-term project at Stamford Bridge. But whether or not Chukwuemeka will still be around by then is up for question.