Chelsea wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka’s transfer exit hits stumbling block as Barcelona eye shock move

CARNEY CHUKWUEMEKA’S chances of moving on from Chelsea for first-team football are being hit by his huge wages.

The midfielder, 20, could leave Stamford Bridge in this window with Crystal Palace leading the queue for his capture.

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Crystal Palace are leading the race to sign Carney Chukwuemeka this summer[/caption]

And Chelsea may accept less than the £40million fee currently on his head to speed up any deal.

Barcelona and other top European clubs have also been sounded out about a sale or even a loan.

But the ex-Aston Villa youngster is on around £115,000 a week.

And that may make him too expensive for his admirers — unless the Blues subsidise his exit.

Chelsea signed Chukwuemeka from Villa in 2022, with his contract running for another four years.

He has since scored twice in 27 appearances for the Blues but has struggled with injuries.

The England under-21 international endured two lengthy lay-offs due to a knee problem last term.

He also battled an ankle injury during a stop-start campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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Chukwuemeka would be Palace’s fourth signing of the summer.

Oliver Glasner has already added Ismaila Sarr, Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada to his squad.

The Palace boss is hoping to build on last season’s 10th place finish in the Premier League.

Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in the dugout in February and went on to win seven of their remaining 12 matches.