Dortmund want to keep Chelsea's Chukwuemeka

BBC News

06-07-2025

Borussia Dortmund want to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka next season, says sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Chukwuemeka, 21, came on for the last 15 minutes of Dortmund's dramatic 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.With his loan spell - which began in February - now over, Chukwuemeka will return to Stamford Bridge."We will definitely have some more discussions in the next few days about his situation," said Kehl."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 are understood to want about £40m for a player they signed from Aston Villa in 2022. "It's always easier to loan a player than to buy one, especially within Carney's [price] range," said Kehl. "But let's see. 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."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."Kehl also wished winger Jamie Gittens well after his £48.5m move to Chelsea."We held many discussions with Chelsea in recent weeks," he said."We refused an offer on June 10, but now we have found an agreement. Jamie wanted to make that next step, and Chelsea will get a very professional and highly motivated young player, who still has lots of potential. "We built him for five years here at Dortmund. He's a great kid, and we wish him all the best."