Chelsea have firmly turned down an approach from Borussia Dortmund for promising midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, branding the German club’s proposal as “insulting” and far below the valuation they place on the 20-year-old. The rejection comes as Chelsea continue to reshape their squad, balancing the need to offload players with the ambition to make high-profile signings such as Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho before the transfer window closes.
Dortmund’s bid, which was structured as an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy, reportedly failed to impress the Chelsea hierarchy. The Blues considered the financial terms inadequate, believing that the midfielder’s potential, age, and long-term value demand a permanent transfer at a much higher figure than what was tabled. Insiders claim Chelsea are adamant about not being pressured into what they consider a cut-price exit for one of their brightest young assets.
Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 in a deal worth £20 million, arriving with a reputation as one of the most exciting young midfielders in English football. However, his time at Stamford Bridge has been hampered by recurring injuries and intense competition for places, limiting him to sporadic appearances across two seasons. Despite these setbacks, the club maintains confidence in his potential, which has sparked interest from several European sides.
While Chelsea are open to sanctioning an exit, sources close to the club have made it clear that any departure must reflect their market expectations. The club’s leadership is keen to avoid repeating past mistakes of letting go of young players too cheaply, only to see them flourish elsewhere. This stance has led to a hardline response to Dortmund’s offer, which they viewed as undervaluing both the player and the project they have invested in since his arrival.
The Blues’ strategy in the current transfer market involves streamlining the squad by moving on fringe players and those struggling for regular minutes. By doing so, they hope to create both financial flexibility and squad room to finalize potential deals for top attacking reinforcements, particularly Xavi Simons of Paris Saint-Germain and Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United. Both players have been long-term targets for Chelsea, and their pursuit underscores the club’s determination to strengthen their attacking options with young, dynamic talent.
Chukwuemeka’s situation is being closely monitored by several other clubs, both in the Premier League and across Europe. Teams in Italy and Spain are reportedly keeping tabs on developments, aware that Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate could open the door for alternative bids. Dortmund, meanwhile, are expected to weigh their options and may yet return with an improved proposal, though they will likely need to adjust their offer significantly to tempt Chelsea into reconsideration.
For now, Chukwuemeka remains a Chelsea player as the new season gets underway. Whether he stays to fight for his place under the current management or moves on in search of regular game time will depend on how negotiations evolve in the coming weeks. Chelsea, however, have made one thing clear: any club that wishes to sign the young midfielder must be prepared to meet their terms, both financially and structurally, or risk walking away empty-handed.