Chelsea to sanction Carney Chukwuemeka loan exit as interest builds in Donnell McNeilly

Evening Standard

·3 febbraio 2025

Chelsea to sanction Carney Chukwuemeka loan exit as interest builds in Donnell McNeilly

Young duo could form part of a stream of late departures from Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day

Carney Chukwuemeka is set to join Borussia Dortmund on loan on what could be a busy deadline day of outgoings at Chelsea.

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Chukwuemeka has struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge this season, making only five appearances across all competitions. Only one of those was from the start, away to Kazakhstani side Astana in the Conference League.

The 21-year-old joined Chelsea in a £20million switch from Aston Villa in 2022 and threatened a significant breakthrough at the start of last season. Then, he started the first game of the campaign - a 1-1 draw with Liverpool - under Mauricio Pochettino and scored his first Blues goal against West Ham a week later.

However, he was forced off in the first game with a knee injury that subsequently required surgery and his development has stalled since.

LIVE: Follow all the latest Chelsea news on transfer deadline day

Chukwuemeka is now expected to get the chance to reignite his career at a Bundesliga club with a recent reputation for nurturing young English talent, though the deal must be completed before the German transfer window shuts at 5pm GMT on Monday.

Dortmund began the window with interest in another Chelsea player in Renato Veiga, but that cooled after Niko Kovac replaced Nuri Sahin as manager last month and Veiga has since joined Juventus on loan.

Cesare Casadei has also left Chelsea this month in a permanent sale to Torino, while Ben Chilwell is set to join Crystal Palace on deadline day and the futures of both Axel Disasi and Joao Felix remain uncertain.

Chelsea youngster Donnell McNeilly could also be on the move amid interest from EFL clubs and overseas sides.

Interest building: Young striker Donnell McNeilly has entered the last six months of his Chelsea contract

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McNeilly is into the final six months of his current contract at Stamford Bridge and is yet to sign a new deal.

The 19-year-old is the top scorer for Chelsea’s Under-21 side this season and that has led to interest from elsewhere.

Standard Sport understands clubs from both the Championship and League One are keen on the striker, while there is interest from overseas, too.

There is a chance that McNeilly could move on a permanent deal before the transfer window shuts on Monday night if that interest firms up.

McNeilly has been with Chelsea since he was signed as an U12 player from grassroots football. He was the top scorer for Chelsea’s U16 side before signing scholarship terms in the summer of 2022 and later a professional contract.