Reported Southampton target Caleb Chukwuemeka is a player with ‘untold ability in possession’, Northampton Town coach Keith Curle told a Fans Forum, via Twitter, as contract talks continue with the teenager.
While 17-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka continues to pull up trees behind the scenes at Aston Villa, his older brother is starting to make a name for himself in the professional game.
Caleb has featured in 12 of Northampton’s 21 League One games this season, scoring his first senior goal against Wigan Athletic in November.
Chukwuemeka also found the net in an EFL Trophy clash against Southampton’s U21 side recently and his eye-catching display clearly didn’t go unnoticed.
The Mail reports that the Saints have joined Championship duo Norwich City and Bournemouth in showing an interest in the skillful striker, who is yet to sign professional terms with Northampton and would therefore be available for a minor compensation fee this month.
“We identified him at the end of last season as someone with potential,” Curle said.
“He has untold ability in possession of the ball, he needs to develop and learn more out of possession but the lad wants to learn and we are working with him to develop him and to develop his game and he is progressing.”
According to chief executive James Whiting, the Cobblers have made numerous attempts to tie Chukwuemeka down to a full-time contract amid fears that the teenager could be snapped up for next to nothing either in January or during the summer window.
Nothing has been agreed yet, however, with his scholarship deal due to expire in 2022.
A move to Southampton would see Chukwuemeka link up with Ralph Hasenhuttl, a coach who played a major role in the development of Timo Werner, Naby Keita and co during his time at RB Leipzig.
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