Steven Gerrard confirms firm decision made on Arsenal and Newcastle United target

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Steven Gerrard has axed Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa’s squad travelling to Australia amid contract uncertainty surrounding him.

Villa have headed off to Australia as their pre-season preparations continue.

Villa play three games Down Under, first taking on Leeds United on Sunday morning.

Then it’s Brisbane Roar next Wednesday and Manchester United as week on Sunday, giving Villa key tests ahead of the new Premier League season.

Villa have flown out but one player who hasn’t made the trip is teenager Carney Chukwuemeka.

Steven Gerrard has axed Carney Chukwuemeka

Villa boss Steven Gerrard has told Villa’s official website that he has decided to leave attacking midfielder Chukwuemeka back in Birmingham.

Gerrard noted that Chukwuemeka still hasn’t signed the contract offer put in front of him by Villa, so the decision has been made for him to stay at home.

Chukwuemeka will continue working on his fitness at Bodymoor Heath but it sounds like he won’t be considered for first-team action whilst that contract goes unsigned.

“Carney’s yet to sign a contract offer that’s been in place for some time now, so I’ve decided that the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor,” said Gerrard.

Chukwuemeka is out of contract next summer and Villa have been desperately trying to tie him down to a new deal.

The 18-year-old played just shy of 300 Premier League minutes across 12 appearances for Villa’s first team last season.

Gerrard clearly sees potential in Chukwuemeka but is taking a hard stance over his contract.

If this omission doesn’t change Chukwuemeka’s mind, it would seem that Villa will be ready to sell him on this summer.

90Min claim that Arsenal and Newcastle United are interested in signing Chukwuemeka this summer if Villa show a willingness to sell.

Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen on Chukwuemeka having tracked his progress at Villa.

Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich are also interested, such is Chukwuemeka’s potential.

Villa would likely land a minuscule fee if they let this saga run in 2023, so Arsenal and Newcastle will be watching this situation very closely.