Serge Gnabry will reportedly reject any move to Chelsea this summer due to his loyalties with Arsenal.
The German winger has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge amid rising doubts over his long-term future with current club Bayern Munich. He has just a year remaining on his current contract at the Allianz Arena and as of yet, the Bavarian giants have struggled to come to an agreement over an extended stay.
That has seen Chelsea enter the race to sign for the former Arsenal man with the Blues having reportedly made an ‘approach’ to secure his services as they explore alternative options to Barcelona-bound Raphinha.
Whilst the west Londoners are interested, it appears that a move to Chelsea is a non-starter - at least from Gnabry’s perspective. According to German outlet Bild, the winger does not consider a move to Stamford Bridge as an option due to his previous ties with Arsenal.
It is suggested that he does not want to play for another club in London due to his loyalties with the Gunners. Gnabry of course progressed through the Hale End Academy, going on to play 18 times for the club and scored one goal.
He was allowed to depart in 2016 following a failed loan spell with West Bromwich Albion to join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. The winger immediately impressed in his homeland - leading to a bargain move to Bayern Munich.
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Gnabry has been a pivotal part of the side since having scored 64 goals, winning four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in the process. Whilst the 26-year-old has gone on to be a huge success, he has always remained thankful to the Gunners having suggested that his career would not have progressed the way it had without his spell at the club.
Speaking to The Evening Standard back in 2016, he said: “Without being in England, I would not be the player I am now. There was Arsenal’s quick playing style, for example, which I learned.
“When you are a young player and you get to train with such top players as there are at Arsenal for three years then of course you take something away with you and it improves you.
“That was definitely the case with me. I probably would not be here now [at Bayern Munich] if I had not been in England.”
Whilst Chelsea appear likely to miss out on the signing of Gnabry, they have already bolstered their forward options ahead of the 2022/23 season. Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling is on the verge of completing a £50m move to Stamford Bridge and has already flown out to the US to join his new teammates on the club’s pre-season tour.
