Chelsea midfielder with £40m release clause wanted by AC Milan as Serie A giants prepare to open talks: Reports
Serie A giants AC Milan are reportedly looking to sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. As reported by Caught Offside, the Rossoneri are keen on landing the England U20 international on a loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent for around €20-25 million.
Chukwuemeka is contracted at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2028 and has a release clause of £40 million. The situation puts Chelsea in the driver's seat should AC Milan look to negotiate for a bargain deal.
The Blues landed the versatile attacking midfielder, who can also play on the flanks, in the summer of 2022. Chukwuemeka was regarded very highly at Aston Villa and made 16 senior appearances for the Villans before moving to west London.
Chukwuemeka has so far made just 27 appearances in Chelsea colors over two seasons having contributed with two goals and one assist. He has been pretty unlucky with injuries during his time at Stamford Bridge having been ruled out for 237 days over the last two seasons.
AC Milan have a strong contingent of players who have formerly played for Chelsea and have enjoyed themselves at the San Siro. If Chukwuemeka secures a move to AC Milan, he will link up with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic.
Chukwuemeka will have to face strong competition for places if he wishes to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for a spot in Enzo Maresca's system. A loan move could be a good deal for all parties but the Blues could be against a permanent deal unless the youngster's £40 million release clause is triggered.
Moises Caicedo explains the reasons behind his initial struggles at Chelsea
Chelsea star Moises Caicedo has explained the reasons behind his initial struggles upon joining the club. The Ecuador international joined the Blues last summer in a massive £115 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion but had a poor start to life at the club.
Caicedo has claimed that he was more focused on the tactical side of the game at Brighton but had to adapt to a more physical setup at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to Ecuadorian television network Teleamazonas, Caicedo said (via CFCPyS on X):
“At Brighton it was all tactical, just with the ball; 'tactical, tactical, tactical' and at Chelsea, it was run, run, run and it was very difficult for me. With Chelsea, I always ran a bit more and with Brighton, we almost always had the ball, with Chelsea it was a different football and we had to run more."
Caicedo enjoyed an upturn in his form as the season progressed and played a key role in helping Chelsea secure a sixth-placed finish. He made 48 appearances across competitions last season scoring once and providing four assists.