Conte to help Chelsea sign Mudryk replacement

Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea outcast Carney Chukwuemeka during the January transfer window.

The former England youth international has only racked up 130 minutes of action so far this season and he is yet to be included in a Premier League matchday squad since Enzo Maresca was appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor in the summer.

Chukwuemeka is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January and a number of clubs have already expressed their desire to sign him on loan.

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Napoli have now joined the race for his signature, according to TEAMtalk, with Antonio Conte pushing to sign the 21-year-old, despite the summer arrivals of both Billy Gilmour and Scott McToninay.

The Serie A giants haven’t been put off by Chelsea’s €36 million valuation and are reportedly considering lodging 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 remainder of the season.

However, Chelsea boss Maresca reportedly views the Portugal international as an “important player” and the Blues are eager to retain him.

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Chukwuemeka to fund move for Mudryk replacement?

Offloading Chukwuemeka would free up space on Chelsea’s wage bill and a permanent sale could help the club fund a move for a Mykhailo Mudryk replacement.

The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance meldonium and he is currently awaiting the results of his ‘B sample.’

If Mudryk returns a second positive test, he risks being handed a four-year footballing ban, which would prove catastrophic for Chelsea given their investment in the 23-year-old.

Furthermore, the Blues would likely be forced to sign a replacement, despite the fact that Jadon Sancho’s loan move from Manchester United will become permanent this summer.

Nico Williams and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have both been linked with a move to Chelsea in the past, and the Blues may need to sell the likes of Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei in order to afford a superstar new left winger.