Chelsea eye Chukwuemeka-Gittens swap deal as summer rebuild begins

Chelsea are reportedly exploring a swap deal with Borussia Dortmund involving Carney Chukwuemeka and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as they begin planning for a major summer rebuild.

According to BILD, the Blues are open to sending Chukwuemeka to Dortmund permanently, with Bynoe-Gittens potentially moving in the opposite direction.

Chukwuemeka, signed by Chelsea in 2022, is currently on loan at Dortmund, but with fierce competition for places at Stamford Bridge, he has struggled to establish himself and is now deemed surplus to requirements.

The potential deal, however, may be complicated by Arsenal’s reported interest in Bynoe-Gittens.

German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten suggests the Gunners may even be a “step ahead” in the race for the 19-year-old, though Dortmund’s €100million (£85m) valuation is likely to deter any immediate move from the North London club.

That could give Chelsea an opening, especially if they can leverage Chukwuemeka’s presence at Dortmund as part of a direct swap.

In addition to Bynoe-Gittens, Chelsea are also said to be monitoring Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The Swiss international has been in fine form, but BILD reports that a move to Stamford Bridge could appeal to him, particularly if Chelsea secure Champions League qualification.

Negotiations over Kobel are being described as a “poker game,” with Dortmund reportedly demanding a €60million (£51m) fee.

Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, with both the potential Chukwuemeka-Bynoe-Gittens exchange and the possible Kobel transfer under consideration.

Chelsea have just three Premier League games remaining and are favourites to win the Europa Conference League, taking a 4-1 lead into the semi-final second leg against Djurgården.

Dortmund, meanwhile, sit fifth in the Bundesliga, and failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League could prompt several key players – including Kobel – to consider their futures.