Steven Gerrard insists Carney Chukwuemeka is no closer to signing a new Aston Villa contract as Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United circle, speaking to the Birmingham Mail.
It’s usually the mark of a youngster with huge potential, when you’ve heard whispers on the grapevine before the player in question has even made his professional debut.
You may remember, all the way back in 2009, when a 14-year-old by the name of Raheem Sterling was being linked with some of the biggest clubs in England.
Chukwuemeka, of course, has a long way to go if he wants to match Manchester City’s free-scoring number seven.
But, long before the England U19 international even made his senior bow in Villa colours, CEO Christian Purslow was describing him as ‘the best 16-year-old in England’ by some distance.
Two years on, there are very real fears that Chukwuemeka will soon be fulfilling his potential away from Villa Park.
Are Aston Villa about to lose Carney Chukwuemeka?
Despite featuring regularly since the appointment of Steven Gerrard, Chukwuemeka remains reluctant to extend a contract that expires in the summer of 2023.
“No, no (he has not signed a new deal yet),” Gerrard explained on Friday. “As far as I know, (the talks) haven’t progressed.
“We’ve done everything we can from our side to try and make them progress. I’m not sure where that’s up to at the moment.”
According to The Guardian, the ‘fantastic’ Chukwuemeka is concerned about a lack of first-team opportunities at Aston Villa.
It seems that a steady stream of appearances off the bench in recent months have not changed his mind.
The teenager has admirers at Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich
The Standard claims that Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Chukwuemeka too. Mikel Arteta wants a dynamic young midfielder, potentially to fill a Granit Xhaka-shaped void.
Roma are keen on the Swiss international again. Mohamed Elneny and Lucas Torreira are also set to depart.
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