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Chelsea offered Ben Chilwell to Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window – but the Bundesliga club turned down the chance to sign the left-back.
Chilwell, 27, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and was encouraged by Enzo Maresca and club officials to explore opportunities away from Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
It led to Chilwill being widely named as a member of the Blues’ so-called ‘bomb squad’ in the media, along with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei.
And though Chilwell featured in Chelsea’s recent Carabao Cup win over Barrow, it’s understood the defender wishes to move on from the west London giants in order to secure regular game-time again.
According to Sky Deutschland, Dortmund officials discussed a proposed bid for Chilwell after Chelsea made contact in the summer, only to decide against a move before the transfer deadline.
Ramy Bensebaini appears to have nailed down his place as Dortmund’s first-choice left-back in the early stages of the season but viable alternatives are thin on the ground at Signal Iduna Park.
Julian Ryerson is an option for Dortmund, though has far more experience playing as a right wing-back. Nuri Sahin also has academy star Almugera Kabar at his disposal, but the teenager is yet to make his debut for BVB.
The report claims a separation between Chilwell and Chelsea remains the ‘logical consequence’ ahead of the January transfer window.
Dortmund have not ruled out the possibility of turning to the transfer market to strengthen at left-back this winter. It remains to be seen if the club’s hierarchy will change their stance on Chilwell.
The England international still has three years remaining on his current contract with the Blues.
After joining Chelsea from Leicester City for a fee of around £50million in 2020, Chilwell has gone on to make 107 appearances in all competitions for the club.
The full-back was a key member of Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League-winning team of 2021, featuring in all but three of Chelsea’s games across their European campaign.
At international level, Chilwell has been capped 21 times but was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 after an injury-hit season last term.
Earlier this month, Napoli were credited with a strong interest in Chilwell, with Antonio Conte believed to be an admirer of the former Leicester man.
Premier League trio Fulham, Crystal Palace and Ipswich have also been linked with the out-of-favour Champions League winner in recent weeks.
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