Chelsea are set to beat Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United to sign Carney Chukwuemeka of Aston Villa after the clubs announced an agreement for the midfielder.
The Blues and Villans confirmed the 18-year-old has been given permission to now discuss personal terms with the Stamford Bridge outfit. He will now travel to west London to hold further talks with Thomas Tuchel’s side and undergo a medical before finalising his switch.
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Chukwuemeka has been highly sought-after among English and European sides so far this summer. But Birmingham Live reported AC Milan refused to pay the Villans’ £20m asking price. Alternative suitors also backed away with Chukwuemeka’s contract expiring in 2023.
AC Milan had approached Aston Villa to discuss the Serie A champions’ interest in a move for Chukwuemeka this summer. But the San Siro side’s approach has proven unsuccessful.
Chelsea to sign Chukwuemeka as teen gem snubs new Aston Villa contract
Aston Villa were keen to hold out for their price tag being met for as long as possible while keen to retain Chukwuemeka. However, the England U19 sensation has rejected the club’s contract bids, per The Telegraph, and had no interest in signing a new deal, per Sky Sports.
Chukwuemeka would be available for just £400k in compensation at the end of the season without agreeing a transfer or new contract. Clubs from abroad would also have been able to offer pre-contracts from January, with Sky Sports citing Barcelona as one of his suitors.
Arsenal, Newcastle were also interested in AC Milan target
Arsenal and Newcastle were also interested in signing Chukwuemeka before Chelsea and Aston Villa agreed terms. They also felt he could start at their respective sides, per Graeme Bailey. The Villa talent only opened two of his 12 Premier League appearances in 2021/22.
Chukwuemeka additionally only featured for 294 top-flight minutes last season between Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard’s tenures. Yet he laid on one assist during a seven minute cameo away to Norwich City back in December after crossing to Ollie Watkins for a tap in.
His potential had Arsenal, Newcastle and AC Milan interested before Chelsea agreed a deal with Aston Villa for Chukwuemeka. BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty claims the Blues will pay the Villans’ £20m asking price for a teen Paul Merson called ‘outstanding’.
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