We’re just a few weeks from the January transfer window opening now, and things are warming up.
Sources have told Football.London today that a hot rumoured move from last week will not be happening.
As we reported here, there was serious chatter in Italy about Chelsea outcast Carney Chukwuemeka leaving the club and moving to AC Milan.
There were even claims a deal had been agreed. However, apparently “the 21 will not be moving to the Italian club, on loan or on a permanent basis.”
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A Chelsea flag in the evening at Stamford Bridge.
A group photo of Chelsea celebrating a goal at Leicester. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Fabrizio Romano delivers Chelsea news.
Despite showing great promise in two years at Chelsea, injuries have disrupted Chukwuemeka’s progress and he’s not had a look in at all this season under Enzo Maresca. He’s played 63 total minutes this season so far.
Carney Chukwuemeka picks up some rare minutes in the Conference League. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Carney Chukwuemeka picks up some rare minutes in the Conference League. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Chukwuemeka still on the way out despite Milan rumours coming to nothing
While this particular move has been shut down (and we never had faith that things were remotely as advanced as those Italian sources claimed) we still expect Carney to move on loan or permanently in January.
The only reason the midfielder didn’t find a new home in the summer was effectively that Chelsea ran out of time to sort something for him, given how many other players were coming and going at the deadline.
More Stories about Carney Chukwuemeka
A Chelsea flag in the evening at Stamford Bridge.
A group photo of Chelsea celebrating a goal at Leicester. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Fabrizio Romano delivers Chelsea news.
But having him sitting on our bench (or usually not in the squad at all) is a disaster for him and for the club, and we expect there to already be serious discussions going on behind the scenes so that he can make a move the moment the January window opens.
A permanent move would probably be preferred by all parties, but if a suitable bid isn’t made, a loan until the end of the season buys everyone time.