According to the Daily Star, Aston Villa have no intention of letting Liverpool target Carney Chukwuemeka leave any time soon.
It’s claimed that Villa are fast-tracking Chukwuemeka into their first-team picture and will not let him leave this summer.
Dean Smith has the teenager training with the senior side, and given that he agreed a three-year professional deal in November, Villa aren’t ready to let him go.
One Villa source is quoted as saying that Chukwuemeka is similar to Patrick Vieira in terms of his build and his ability to drive past players; pretty huge praise.
Chukwuemeka is only 17, but finds himself as a wanted man having shown huge potential, smashing a hat-trick against Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup last week.
The Times claimed in February that Liverpool want to sign Chukwuemeka, and the list of clubs keen to sign him is only going to grow.
The Athletic noted last week that some at Villa believe he could enjoy a similar progression to fellow midfielder Jude Bellingham, who boasts a similar athletic profile and has been starring at Borussia Dortmund.
Villa may fear losing one homegrown star in Jack Grealish, but they have another one coming through in Chukwuemeka – and it looks like Liverpool and co would have to pay up big money to prise him away from Villa Park.
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