Chelsea full-back Baba Rahman close to sealing a loan move back to Schalke

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Schalke are in talks with Chelsea over bringing defender Baba Rahman back to Germany on loan.

The Ghanaian full-back moved to the Bundesliga 12 months ago on what was supposed to be a season-long stint until a serious knee injury while playing at the African Nations Cup in January brought an early end to his tenure in Germany.

His ongoing recovery will be a factor in any deal but Schalke remain keen on the 23-year-old, who made 20 appearances for the club in the first half of last season, before the German side finished 10th in the Bundesliga. 

Baba Rahman's loan at Schalke last season was cut short by a knee injury suffered during the Africa Cup of Nations, but the full-back could be on his way back to the Veltins-Arena 

'We are in talks with the player, his advisor and Chelsea,' said Schalke's sporting director Christian Heidel.

'Ultimately, it is about when Baba will be able to play again. No decision has yet been made.'

The Ghanaian was confirmed to be out for seven months in January and is now set for a return to the pitch after a lengthy absence but unfortunately for him, his future may lie away from Stamford Bridge. 

Rahman moved to West London from Augsburg two years ago but made only 23 appearances during the 2015-16 season, scoring twice, with Cesar Azpilicueta preferred at left-back.

He has not played for Chelsea since May 2016 and since the Blues have picked up their pursuit on Juventus full-back Alex Sandro, it appears he is not part of manager Antonio Conte's first-team plans at Stamford Bridge. 

Rahman struggled in his first season at Chelsea, falling reserve to  Cesar Azpilicueta