CHELSEA RECALL CRYSTAL PALACE DEFENDER FROM LOAN AS FORMER IPSWICH STAR RETURNS TO STAMFORD BRIDGE

One of Crystal Palace’s defenders is packing his bags and returning home - after his parent club have recalled him from loan.

Adam Davy/PA

Chelsea have activated a clause in the contract of Trevoh Chalobah, bringing him back to Stamford Bridge halfway through his loan spell with Crystal Palace.

It comes amid a difficult defensive spell for the Blues, having conceded twice to Bournemouth in a 2-2 last night (January 14) and previously conceding to Fulham, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in consecutive Premier League matches. This has been compounded by a defensive injury crisis that has forced the hand of manager Enzo Maresca.

Wesley Fofana has suffered a setback on his hamstring injury, and could be ruled out until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Benoit Badiashile is sidelined and Alex Disasi is being linked with a move away from the club.

- David George

DORTMUND KEEN ON PERMANENT DEAL FOR IAN MAATSEN - SOURCES

Ian Maatsen played the full 90 minutes of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images

 Borussia Dortmund want to sign Ian Maatsen on a permanent basis but are reluctant to meet Chelsea's £35 million ($44.7m) valuation, sources have told ESPN.

The 22-year-old joined Dortmund on loan in January and became a key member of Edin Terzic's team, playing every minute of their seven Champions League knockout matches which culminated in last weekend's final defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley.

Prior to that game, Maatsen publicly admitted his future was uncertain and sources have told ESPN that Dortmund are keen to extend his stay in Germany after the full-back made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals.

Chelsea are looking to recoup money through outgoing transfers to maintain compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules and are willing to allow a number of fringe players to leave the club including Maatsen, Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah.

However, sources have told ESPN that Chelsea's hopes of securing a lucrative deal for Maatsen's transfer is considered a stumbling block with Dortmund believed to be readying an opening offer considerably lower than that figure. One source suggested their initial offer would likely be between £20m to £25m.

Any deal that Chelsea want to form part of their 2023-24 accounting year must be completed by June 30 and Dortmund are hopeful that theoretical deadline could help them negotiate a lower transfer fee.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

TREVOH CHALOBAH | CHELSEA