Chelsea are reportedly open to the possibility of retaining the services of Trevoh Chalobah.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital became owners of the Blues, they have regularly shown a willingness to cash in on the club's homegrown talent.
The likes of Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher have generated close to £100m in pure profit in recent transfer windows to help fund moves for other talent.
Since the middle of last month, it has become clear that they have taken the same stance over fellow academy graduate Chalobah, who was left out of the 28-player squad that was selected for the pre-season tour of the United States.
As a result, the versatile defender is now one of many exiled squad members who are training away from the chosen senior crop of Enzo Maresca.
However, it appears that a scenario could play out which would see Chalobah be kept at Stamford Bridge, at least in the short term.
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Chalobah given hope of Chelsea stay
According to The Athletic, Chelsea officials are conscious about being left short at the back over the coming months.
Newcastle United have allegedly identified Axel Disasi as one of a number of alternatives should they be unable to get a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi over the line.
The Eagles are said to have earmarked Chalobah as a potential replacement for Guehi, yet it appears that much could hinge on whether Disasi remains at Chelsea.
Disasi, who only signed for Chelsea for £38.5m last summer, made 44 appearances in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino and is on a contract until 2029.
Over the summer, though, the France international underwent hernia surgery and now finds himself behind the rest of the centre-backs in the pecking order.
Although he started the 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff last Thursday, the 26-year-old has been left out of the squads for Premier League games against Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
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Should Chelsea keep Chalobah regardless?
Everything is largely dependent on what business Chelsea want to do over the coming days. With continued talk of a potential deal for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen being struck, Chelsea may have to move swiftly to raise further funds.
On the flip side, Chalobah started 10 games in the Premier League last season and contributed to a total of 24 points, either as a right-back or centre-back.
The vast majority of Chelsea fans want the 24-year-old to stay put, as does he, and they could benefit from finding alternative ways to ensure that they remain on the right side of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
In terms of central defensive options, Maresca currently has Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Disasi at his disposal.
Darren Plant
