Serge Gnabry will have a point to prove if he seals a Premier League return with Chelsea.
The Blues are said to be mulling over a move for the Bayern Munich winger as an alternative to Raphinha. The Leeds United ace is seemingly set to snub Chelsea in favour of joining Barcelona in a deal worth around £60million.
Gnabry has so far resisted all attempts to extend his contract with the Bundesliga champions, with his current deal set to expire next summer. It has opened the door for a potential cut-price exit, although Bayern are still working to convince the 26-year-old to continue his career at the club.
Thomas Tuchel is looking to reshape his frontline, with Raheem Sterling expected to be the first of several attacking arrivals. Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech could all be allowed to leave, while Romelu Lukaku has already sealed a loan return to Inter Milan following a dismal season.
It is six years since Arsenal decided to sell Gnabry despite Arsene Wenger's assertion that the winger would enjoy a 'great career'. Now, the Germany international could return to the Premier League as a Champions League winner, a four-time Bundesliga champion, and a winger billed to be closing in on a 'world-class level' by former coach Hansi Flick.
It is a remarkable rise given he was famously deemed to 'not at the level' to play for West Brom in an ill-fated loan spell during his final season in England. Gnabry joined the Baggies for the 2015/16 season but made just three appearances before being publicly savaged by Tony Pulis.
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A serious knee injury was not the ideal start to the winger's time at the Hawthorns, but the Gunners loanee failed to convince his new manager that he was ready to play in the Premier League. Gnabry secured a permanent return to Germany with Werder Bremen the following summer, and has since reflected on how this chastening stint helped explain his subsequent meteoric rise.
He previously told the Daily Mail: "It was a very important time in my career, where I had to learn and accept a lot of things as well. It made me a tougher guy on the pitch. When you’re younger, maybe talent was enough and just enjoying [yourself] and having fun. Then I realised it’s also hard work and things don’t go your way.
"It didn’t go well at West Brom but I just kept working and that’s one of things I adopted: always keep working and knowing when I go home. I’ve always believed in my qualities. If someone else doesn’t what can I do?"
Bayern came calling in 2017, and Gnabry's request for an immediate loan to Hoffenheim to gain further first-team experience paid dividends. The former Arsenal prospect played a number of roles under future Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, and this spell allowed him to hit the ground running with the German champions.
Gnabry was voted Bayern's Player of the Season following a memorable debut season, and has registered double-digit goalscoring hauls in every Bundesliga season since. It is no wonder Chelsea are considering the prolific forward as a result, given the concerns over their current attacking returns.
It is also no surprise that Bayern are not willing to concede defeat in their bid to tie Gnabry down to a new deal. The superstar winger could yet agree a contract extension, but there is also surely a temptation to make a point when it comes to the Premier League.
