Arsenal may face a multi-million-pound asking price if Mikel Arteta’s side explores a deal to sign reported target Carney Chukwuemeka of Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to Birmingham Live, who report Villans chiefs can expect offers in excess of £5m to sell the 18-year-old. Chukwuemeka has long been considered as one of the best young prospects at Villa Park. But the teenager enters the final year of his contract in June.
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Aston Villa have sought to discuss new terms for the central midfield, yet their efforts have so far proven insufficient. Steven Gerrard has also been reluctant to hand the Austria-born talent regular game time during the claret-and-blue side’s recent Premier League fixtures.
Chukwuemeka has not featured for the Villans in the top-flight over their last eight games. He has spent six of those matches on the bench, with the England U19 gem last playing in the Premier League on February 13. Gerrard gave the youngster five minutes at Newcastle.
His Tyneside appearance marked Chukwuemeka’s ninth top-flight outing and 11th senior game so far this season. Yet he has still only started twice, with one Carabao Cup tie with League Two Barrow and a league showing against Brentford under Dean Smith in August.
Borussia Dortmund are now among Chukwuemeka’s potential suitors should he leave the Birmingham outfit this summer. The Bundesliga side are keen on the midfielder’s potential after successful moves for young English talents with Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.
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Arsenal are also keen on Chukwuemeka, with the Evening Standard recently reporting the Gunners are scouting the Aston Villa product ahead of the summer transfer window. Arteta is keen to establish a shortlist of young talents who could strengthen his midfield for years.
Chukwuemeka will not decide his future until the season ends, however, per The Athletic. He is not against extending his stay at Villa Park, but wants to see what other options may emerge. The senior minutes on offer will play a decisive factor in any decision on a move.
Yet Aston Villa can use Chukwuemeka’s high potential, interest from Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund and the expectations for his development to demand a high transfer fee, even if his contract expires in 2023. Gunners hero Paul Merson has also hailed his lofty potential.
“He has got a bright future,” Merson said on Sky Sports after Aston Villa’s draw with Brentford in August. “First-half, he was outstanding. He was gliding across the pitch.
“He will be an absolute star. He glides across the pitch. He is a nice size. He gets on the ball. He looks for it and makes runs without the ball. I think Villa fans going away will definitely be talking about him.”
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