Chelsea will point to the £40million buy-out clause in Carney Chukwuemeka’s contract should Premier League clubs follow up interest next month.
Coach Enzo Maresca indicated he expected the 21-year old to ask to leave in search of regular first team football after a frustrating first part to the season making just five appearances in the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League.
Chelsea have an option on the table from sister club Strasbourg in France who want to take Chukwuemeka on loan and that is considered favourable because they play a similar style and system to Maresca under their coach Liam Rosenior.
West Ham are among a number of clubs who admire the midfielder who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022.
However, they and others will be deterred by the figures quoted by Chelsea barring any dramatic change to their stance.
Chelsea staff still rate the former England U20 international very highly internally but he has fierce competition ahead of him for first team places and many of those have hit form under Maresca as they challenge for the Premier League title.
Chelsea are holding out for the £40million buy-out clause in Carney Chukwuemeka’s contract
Sister club Strasbourg in France want Chukwuemeka on loan to give him more game time
Coach Enzo Maresca indicated he expected the 21-year old to ask to leave
Chelsea also expect enquiries for England left-back Ben Chilwell amid early pre-window interest from Champions League sides.
Maresca said: ‘If players who are unhappy, knock on the door and they want to leave, I’m not going to say: ”No, you have to stay here, 100 per cent”.
‘If they want to leave, the best thing for everyone is that the players who aren’t happy leave.’
Chelsea are in the market for another centre back and centre forward as the window approaches.
