Reading could miss out on Chelsea midfielder, who prefers move abroad

Chelsea midfielder/defender Nathaniel Chalobah was thought to be heading to Reading FC on loan, along with Chelsea's Lucas Piazon. According to The Reading Chronicle, however, the youngster may not be returning to the Royals, instead preferring a move abroad to a return to the Championship side:

READING FC's move for Nathaniel Chalobah has been thrown into doubt as late interest from a foreign club threatens to scupper the deal.

Royals believed they had finally persuaded the 20-year-old to return to the Madejski Stadium on a season-long loan after positive talks earlier this week.

But late interest from another club on Wednesday evening has put the completion of the deal on hold – with the Chronicle understanding that Chalobah would now prefer a move abroad.

The report doesn't name the interested foreign parties, but it would be a fairly safe assumption that quality of competition which Chalobah would face would be better outside of the Championship. I don't dislike Reading as a fallback option, especially with Steve Clarke managing the Royals, but if there's an opportunity to get Natthaniel some minutes against better players, the Blues (and the player) would be foolish not to take it.