Chelsea have withdrawn David Datro Fofana from his time at Union Berlin.
The 22-year-old striker had been expected to join Sevilla on another loan, but that move is now in doubt after Ian Maatsen agreed to join Borussia Dortmund.
Fofana’s return to Chelsea freed up an international loan spot for the club, which will allow Maatsen to join Dortmund until the end of the season.
But Fofana may not be able to sign for Sevilla because of FIFA rules, put in place at the start of last season to prevent clubs from stockpiling talent.
Excluding 21-year-old players who have been at the club for 3 years, clubs are limited to sending seven players on loan at a time.
Chelsea loaned out Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gabriel Slonina, Diego Moreira and Angelo Gabriel.
Fofana only joined Chelsea last January and will be 22 by the end of the season, so is not exempt from the loan limit.
Sevilla will have to wait and see if Chelsea can cancel another loan or sell any of the seven players who have been occupying their limited loan places lately.
Real Madrid have the option to acquire Kepa in their loan contract and Roma know they can acquire Lukaku permanently for £37m at any time, but lately the Italian club cannot afford that sum.