The ‘extraordinary’ Samuel Chukwueze would be ‘excited’ by a move to the Premier League amid reported interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham United and Aston Villa.
That is according to Fernando Roig Negueroles; CEO of La Liga outfit Villarreal.
Samuel Chukwueze, after a couple of inconsistent years, took his game to a whole new level in 2022/23. The jet-heeled Nigerian was electrifying as Villarreal finished in the European places; scoring 13 goals, setting up 11 more and producing one of the finest individual performances anywhere on the continent during April’s 3-2 win away at Real Madrid.
Sport say that Chukwueze’s explosive displays caught the eye of Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and an Aston Villa side under the stewardship of his former Villarreal boss Unai Emery.
But, as Roig is keen to point out, Villarreal will not be forced into a sale.
“Samu is an extraordinary boy who has been with us for many years,” Roig tells AS. “It is true that he is excited to play for a big club in Europe or in the Premier League.
“If this option came up, we would sit down and negotiate it. But it will be necessary to see if any beneficial offer arrives for the three parties. In this case, no offer has yet arrived.
“What we are clear about is that if something very good doesn’t come, he will stay.”
Samuel Chukwueze ‘excited’ about Premier League switch
24-year-old Chukwueze, who came close to joining Arsenal for a bargain fee while still a teenager, has just 12 months left on his contract. Roig, however, insists that Villarreal will not be pressured into letting a star man go on the cheap.
“We don’t care if there’s a year left,“ the CEO adds. “We do not feel threatened at all; neither by the player, nor by anyone, much less by Samu and his surroundings. It will not condition us that he has a year left.
“To break even, we have to sell. But let us be clear that we are not in a hurry. Nor are we going to undersell anyone.”
Chukwueze has a £68 million release clause in his contract. A left-footed right winger, he has been labelled the ‘Nigerian Arjen Robben’ by some due to his penchant of cutting inside and curling shots into the far corner with his favoured boot.
“He is an incredible player,” former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o once told Goal of Chukwueze.
“He is a quality player and needs to score more goals. But he has the quality and ability to be more than just a goal-scoring forward. Once he gets all of that, he will be top.”
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