Chelsea give Real Betis greenlight to extend Charly Musonda loan pending Antonio Conte decision

Real Betis and Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to extend the loan spell of Charly Musonda at the La Liga side one more season, according to Canal Sur Radio. The completion of deal is only pending the decision of the next Blues manager Antonio Conte as the player is also reportedly likely to stay one more season at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has been considered as one of the best prospects to emerge from the Stamford Bridge academy since he was snapped up from Anderlecht in the summer of 2012, beating the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid for his signature. But having since failed to make a breakthrough into the first-team, the Blues agreed to send the Under 21 Belgium international to Betis during the January transfer window in order to give him some experience in the top flight.

Musonda revealed last month that Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City also wanted to sign him on a permanent basis during the last January transfer window but the Blues turned down those proposals because they have faith in his long-term future at the club and just considered a loan exit.

"Nobody could know what [Jose] Mourinho had in mind for me," he told Belgian newspaper HLN. "It was simple: many English clubs wanted to buy me − Manchester United, City, Arsenal − but a loan was the only option for Chelsea. Only one thing matters to me − playing. Whether I return [to Chelsea] or not. There was interest from France, Netherlands. My ex-coach Yannick Ferrera, who I speak to a lot, wanted me at Standard but I did not want to return to Belgium. And in the end I joined Betis."

The decision has paid off as the Chelsea starlet has been arguably the best player of the La Liga outfit in the second part of the season, scoring one goal and providing another in 10 appearances for the club to help them to move six points clear from the relegation zone, despite having lost the last three games.

Betis manager and officials have publicly admitted that they would like to keep him in the squad one more season. During an interview with Canal Sur Radio last month when he was asked if he would like to remain at Betis next season, Musonda said: "Yes. The idea is in my mind but I don't know what will happen next year.

"I am very happy here. Right now I'm playing to give the best for Betis and enjoy myself. I don't know the future. I am content. Next year, you never know, but it is possible [to stay].

Canal Sur Radio show La Jugada de Sevilla now reports that the prospect of Musonda's staying at Betis is a step closer as the Andalucian side have reached a pre-agreement with Chelsea to extend the loan deal one more season, pending the decision of Conte.

The Andalusian local radio station says that Chelsea technical directors are going to advise Conte to approve the deal as they believe remaining one more season in La Liga to be the best option for Musonda's development. The Italian manager, nevertheless, may asked the player to do the pre-season with the Blues before giving his blessing to completing the deal.