Unai Emery believes Samuel Chukwueze’s future lies away from Villarreal and La LIga, speaking to Goal about a youngster linked with Liverpool, Everton and his old employers Arsenal.
It is a year-and-a-half since the 21-year-old Nigerian burst on to the scene with a scintillating performance in a 4-4 draw with Barcelona.
But a jet-heeled forward who left Gerard Pique and co suffering sleepless nights has impressed only in fits and bursts since, scoring a grand total of five goals in his last 55 appearances for club and country.
Nonetheless, 90Min reports Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are still interested in Chukwueze, while Liverpool continue to track a forward who caught their eye during his breakthrough 2018/19 season.
You would imagine, however, the so-called ‘Nigerian Robben’ needs to add a ruthless streak to his speed and skill if anyone is to trigger the £80 million release clause in his Villarreal contract.
“We are very happy with Samuel Chukwueze. He’s growing up with us at this club,” Emery, who has led Villarreal to third in La Liga, explains.
“His performance is getting better, little by little. He’s young and has a very good future but, first, he’s with us trying to get better with his performances for us and the national team.
“In the future, he can go to another league to grow up more. But I think he’s very happy with us and every match he plays, he tries to give the best performance.”
Interestingly, former Gunners star Santi Cazorla admitted earlier in the year Arsenal had contacted him to get the lowdown about a winger who had caught the eye on the Castellon coast (Marca).
The former Gunners favourite claims Chukwueze is the fastest player he has shared a pitch with – and that’s saying something given the playmaker counts Theo Walcott and Fernando Torres among former teammates.
Arsenal have failed to score from open play in about eight hours of Premier League football, slipping into the bottom half of the division.
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