Borussia Monchengladbach have not given up hope of retaining the services of Chelsea loanee Andreas Christensen.
"This chance is still there because Andreas feels incredibly well at Gladbach," sporting director Max Eberl said.
Christensen, 21, is set to return to Chelsea following two years and 81 competitive appearances with seven goals in all competitions for Bundesliga side Monchengladbach.
However, the German club have not given up all hope that the Denmark defender could return to the Borussia Park for another loan next season should he fail to impress Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in preseason.
Speaking to reporters following Gladbach's 1-1 draw at Wolfsburg, sporting director Max Eberl said: "We will lose him, because he has to return. But if he doesn't play the role he envisions for himself in preseason, we have a chance to talk again as a club where he has made good experiences for two years."
Following two Champions League seasons, Gladbach are likely to finish outside the European places this term. They only have a theoretical chance to reach the Europa League playoffs on the final matchday should they beat Darmstadt, Cologne lose to Mainz and Bremen don't do not Dortmund, who also must win the DFB Pokal.
This also means that the Bundesliga club will not have the funds to sign the Denmark international on a permanent contract.
"He might play [at Chelsea] or they might want to sell him for €25 million. We'd be out of it then," Eberl said. "But there is still the chance that because Andreas feels incredibly well at Galdbach he would like to stay."
"He would also like to become a permanent member of Chelsea's starting XI, but they've won the title, [will] play Champions League and also want to achieve something. There are several factors, and maybe I am fooling myself. But it's true: Andreas feels very, very good at Gladbach."
While Gladbach know they only have an outside chance to keep Christensen, the squad planning for the new season continues at the Borussia Park.
With United States international Fabian Johnson and keeper Yann Sommer already tied to new contracts, Guinea international Ibrahima Traore, 29, has signed a new contract through to 2021.