Musonda
Musonda (right, with Lionel Messi) has only started one La Liga games this season. Getty

KEY POINTS

  • Belgian starlet is currently back in London due to a knee injury.
  • AS claims the midfielder is unlikely to return to La Liga.
  • 20-year-old midfielder has only started one La Liga game this campaign.

Chelsea and Real Betis are close to agreeing terms to end Charly Musonda's season-long loan spell in La Liga, according to AS. The Belgium starlet is currently back at Stamford Bridge due to an injury, and the Spanish publication claims the attacking midfielder is "unlikely" to return to Spain, with both clubs seeking to bring his second spell in La Liga to a premature end.

Musonda, 20, agreed a loan move to Betis during the summer transfer window following an impressive spell with the Andalucian side during second part of last season. The Belgian quickly became a fan favourite, helping his side avoid relegation and making 15 appearances in La Liga.

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He attracted the attention of a number of other clubs during the summer, but all three parties agreed for him to prolong his spell in Spain. However, his second season with Betis has been a nightmare.

The Belgium midfielder has failed to convince new manager Gustavo Poyet he deserves a regular role in his starting line-up and his season suffered a further blow in October after suffering a knee injury.

Musonda was forced to return to Chelsea for treatment for nearly a month before returning to Betis in mid-November.

The Chelsea loanee may have hoped for better luck after Poyet was sacked and replaced by Victor Sanchez del Amo.

But the 20-year-old has played just 13 minutes under the new boss, even failing to make the team for a Copa del Rey encounter with Deportivo la Coruna that saw the side mainly filled with fringe players.

Earlier this week, Betis revealed that Musonda had been been sent back to Chelsea following a recurrence of his knee injury.

However, AS now claims the Belgian is unlikely to return to Betis again as both clubs "are close to agreeing terms" to sever the deal.

The Spanish publication says sending Musonda back to Chelsea would let Betis make space for another player in their squad, as the new manager has demanded the signing of a centre-back.

Meanwhile, AS suggests that Chelsea would prefer to send Musonda on loan to another Premier League side in January in order to give him experience of English football.

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