Chelsea and Baba Rahman agree to terminate contract with Greek side waiting in the wings

Chelsea and defender Baba Rahman have come to an agreement where some part of his contract will be paid to him before releasing him with PAOK waiting in the wings to sign him.

Rahman joined Chelsea from German side Augsburg in 2015 and made 23 appearances for the Blues in his first season, before form and injuries meant he spent the rest of the years out on loan.

The Ghanaian defender was at Reading last year and with Chelsea looking to restructure, both club and player have decided that shaking hands and going their separate ways is the best way to go.

Talks are currently ongoing with Chelsea willing to lose Baba for nothing in addition to paying almost 80% of his one-year wages left on his contract, but Chelsea will push to insert a clause where they get some money if Greek side PAOK were to qualify for Europe next season.

PAOK are looking to play in this year’s Europa Conference League and Chelsea are aware that the club is looking to add more quality that will help them get back to Europe.

Rahman spent the second half of the 2021 league season with PAOK where he played 13 league games, scored a goal, and helped them win the Greek Cup. The club president is reported to have played a massive role in the deal insisting on signing the Ghana international having been impressed with his overall impact when he joined them in 2021.

On Baba’s path he will lose a significant portion of his wages, with the deal at PAOK reported to be around £800,000 a year net. Reports in Greece say the 29-year-old will sign a two-year deal with an option for one extra one when he finally puts pen to paper.