5:30pm: Chelsea face transfer BATTLE as European giants chase €50m move
As they prepare to make a summer transfer for Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka, AC Milan is prepared to start talks with the Blues.
The 20-year-old’s current Stamford Bridge deal includes a €47 million (£40 million) release clause, although Milan is primarily looking to sign him on loan, according to CaughtOffside.
The Italian powerhouses aren’t aiming to sign Chukwuemeka permanently just yet, but they are apparently willing to incorporate a buy option clause worth up to €25 million.
Due to injury, the former Aston Villa wonderkid only played 254 minutes last season. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s arrival has further lowered the former player’s status at Stamford Bridge.
As a result, Milan are hopeful they can convince Chukwuemeka to push for a summer move and they are now ready to begin negotiations.
The Serie A side have signed Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea in recent years and are hoping to add Chukwuemeka to that list.
In addition, the Rossoneri have also been heavily linked with a move for Blues forward Armando Broja.
The Albania international is expected to leave Chelsea on a permanent deal this summer and Milan are interested in pursuing a deal following their failure to land Joshua Zirkzee.
The Bologna striker was initially Milan’s first-choice replacement for the aforementioned Giroud, but he is set to join Manchester United instead.
Carney Chukwuemeka to join AC Milan?
Chukwuemeka is happy at Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano, and is unlikely to push for an exit.
Furthermore, the west London club have no intention of letting him leave on loan and will only accept a departure if his €47m release clause is paid in full.
Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for €18m in 2022 and he has made 27 first-team appearances for the Blues since his arrival, scoring two goals and providing one assist.