Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Carney Chukwuemeka who is well out on the periphery at Chelsea during the January transfer window.
The former England youth international has only recorded 130 minutes of action so far this season, and he is yet to be included in a Premier League game since Enzo Maresca was appointed Mauricio Pochettino’s successor in the summer.
Chukwuemeka is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January and a number of clubs have already expressed a desire to sign him on loan. Napoli have now joined the race for his signature, according to TEAMtalk. Antonio Conte who is pushing to sign the 21-year-old, despite the summer arrivals of both Billy Gilmour and Scott McToninay.
The Serie A giants have not been intimidated by Chelsea’s €36 million valuation and are reportedly considering making a loan offer with an option to buy. In addition, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also revealed that Napoli are interested in signing Renato Veiga on loan for the rest of the season.
However, Chelsea boss Maresca sees the Portuguese international as an “important player” and the Blues are keen to keep him.
Chukwuemeka to fund relocation for Mudryk replacement?
An exit for Chukwuemeka would free up space on Chelsea’s wage bill and a permanent sale could help the club fund a transfer for a Mykhailo Mudryk replacement.
The Ukrainian national team player is provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium, and he is currently waiting for the results of his “B test”.
If Mudryk returns a new positive test, he risks being sentenced to a four-year ban, which would prove disastrous for Chelsea given their investment in the 23-year-old.
Moreover, the Blues are likely to be forced to sign a replacement, despite Jadon Sancho’s loan flow from Manchester United becoming permanent this summer. – Chelsea paid Shakhtar Donetsk €70 million in the winter of 2023.
Nico Williams and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have both been linked with Chelsea in the past, and the Blues may need to sell the likes of Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei to afford a superstar new left winger.
