Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell could reportedly be offered an escape route from Chelsea by Fenerbahce after Manchester United rejected the chance to sign him.
Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell could reportedly be offered an escape route from Chelsea by Fenerbahce after Manchester United rejected the chance to sign him.
Chilwell was informed earlier in the summer that he was free to leave Stamford Bridge this summer but no club pursued a deal for him before the transfer deadline.
The England full-back has dropped behind Marc Cucurella in the pecking order under Enzo Maresca and the Blues were reportedly discussing a potential swap deal with the Red Devils which would see Jadon Sancho moving in the opposite direction.
While Sancho did end up moving to West London on deadline day, United were not interested in signing the 27-year-old despite injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
With the transfer window in England and most of Europe now closed, Chilwell’s options of finding a new home are limited but not entirely impossible.
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Fenerbahce to offer Chilwell Stamford Bridge escape route?
According to GiveMeSport, former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is interested in offering Chilwell a reprieve by taking him to the Super Lig with Fenerbahce.
The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 13 and Mourinho is said to be looking for reinforcements after Ferdi Kadioglu departed to Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.
If Mourinho opts to move for the England international, negotiations are expected to progress fairly smoothly given his connections with the Blues from his time at Stamford Bridge.
The report adds that Brentford had enquired about the 27-year-old earlier this week but opted to sign Jayden Meghoma from Southampton instead.
Chilwell arrived at Chelsea in a deal worth around £50m from Leicester City and has made 106 appearances for the Blues, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in that time.
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Loan move for Chilwell remains an option
The major obstacle for Chilwell finding a new club is his wages which is reported to be over £200,000 per week.
Thus, a loan move with or without an option to buy the defender at the end of the term seems the most likely option if Fenerbahce does pursue a deal.
Another option for Chilwell could be a move to Saudi Arabia, with the Pro League transfer window closing on September 2.
However, reports ahead of the transfer deadline suggested that while the 27-year-old is open to a move abroad, he would prefer to remain in Europe and was not interested in a move to the Middle East.