Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has confirmed the club is interested in bringing back Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka following a productive loan spell last season.
Chukwuemeka, who joined Dortmund on a temporary deal in January, made a strong impression during his time in Germany, prompting discussions about a possible return.
The 20-year-old, born in England to Nigerian parents, is highly rated for his technical ability and composure in midfield. Dortmund are keen to retain the Anglo-Nigerian talent but are aware of the financial challenge involved in negotiating a permanent move from Chelsea.
“We will definitely have some more discussions in the next few days about his situation,” Kehl told BBC Sport. “I think it was a good move from Carney to join us. Now let’s see how we manage everything. It won’t be easy, but we will try to keep him because he’s a very good player.”
Chelsea have reportedly set a £40 million price tag for the midfielder, a figure that may prove difficult for Dortmund to match outright. Kehl acknowledged the club’s cautious approach to the negotiations, noting the complexities of a full transfer.
“It’s always easier to loan a player than to buy one, especially within Carney’s (price) range,” he added. “We are not that far advanced (in talks) at the moment, but I can tell you that we are pretty close to the player, and he loves Dortmund.”
Kehl made it clear that no final decision is imminent. “Everything else will be decided between Chelsea and us. That won’t be tomorrow. That won’t be on Tuesday. I think it will take some more days.”
Chukwuemeka, who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022, remains one of the most promising dual-nationality midfielders in European football.
