For Rangers to have any chance of bringing a talented youngster like Carney Chukwuemeka to Ibrox—a player who moved between two English giants for £20 million in 2022—it was always likely to be on a short-term loan with no option to buy.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea is considering such a move for Chukwuemeka ahead of the February deadline, setting out terms for his development.
Reports suggest Chelsea proposed Rangers as a potential destination, likely seeing value in the 21-year-old gaining experience at a historic club that demands physicality, discipline, and the ability to thrive under the pressure of an ambitious, title-chasing fanbase.
However, Borussia Dortmund presents a compelling alternative. With their reputation for developing rising stars into world-class players—think Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Jadon Sancho—Dortmund offers an attractive path that might appeal to both Chelsea and Chukwuemeka as they weigh his next steps.
Dortmund pushing for Carney Chukwuemeka after Chelsea offered him to Rangers
Talk of Rangers signing Carney Chukwuemeka has stalled in recent weeks, perhaps unsurprisingly.
The Glaswegian side may have realized their slim chances early on or decided that a short-term loan wasn’t the right solution for their midfield needs.
Instead, Rangers are focusing on more attainable targets, like Dundee’s Lyall Cameron, an energetic young midfielder whose contract is running out, as well as considering permanent moves for Leon Belcar, Marko Soldo, and Sasa Zdjelar.
Bringing in Chukwuemeka on a temporary deal would only leave Rangers back at square one in a few months, with the 21-year-old expected to return to Chelsea.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea still see Chukwuemeka as part of their long-term plans. Talks have taken place with Borussia Dortmund, but competition for his loan move appears to be coming not from Scotland, but Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
The French club, sharing ownership with Chelsea, already hosts Djodje Petrovic, Andrey Santos, and Caleb Wiley on loan from Stamford Bridge, making it an attractive option for Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea want Chukwuemeka’s £100,000-a-week salary paid during loan
“Carney Chukwuemeka has some possibility to go to sister club Strasbourg but also Borussia Dortmund,” Romano says. Borussia Dortmund are in contact with the agent of the player and with Chelsea.
“Borussia Dortmund believes Carney could be an ideal option for the midfield.”
Another major hurdle for Rangers in their pursuit of Carney Chukwuemeka is his hefty salary.
Chelsea reportedly expects Borussia Dortmund, if they secure the deal, to cover the full £100,000-a-week wages the midfielder earns for the remainder of the season.
For Rangers, such a financial commitment would be impossible, leaving Chelsea with no option but to significantly subsidize the arrangement if the player were to move to Ibrox.
“Chelsea are open to a loan but no buy option,” Romano adds. So straight loan, six months, but no buy option. Cover the salary, pay for the loan, and get the player back to London. That’s the idea of Chelsea.
“Let’s see what Borussia Dortmund or more clubs decide to do.”
Rangers are yet to make any additions in the January transfer window, but that could change soon. CEO Patrick Stewart hinted that Rangers might bring in one or two new signings, with Dens Park talent Lyall Cameron emerging as the most likely candidate at this point.
“It is no surprise when a player like that is out of contract and there will be interest in him,” Dundee coach Tony Docherty said on Monday ahead of the clash with Celtic. “It is purely speculation at the moment. We have a lot of players, six or seven who are out-of-contract at the end of the season.
“We have identified, as a club, to offer contract extensions and it is then their prerogative what they do with them. A couple have come back and said they will sign and others are exploring their options.
“Lyall is in that category. It is the business we are in and it doesn’t surprise me that there is that amount of speculation about Lyall because he is an extremely talented young footballer.”
