According to La Razón, Arsenal are prepared to bid for Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze, while West Ham and Everton are also willing to.
The 21-year-old seems like a huge prospect.
Chukwueze is already a key member of Villarreal’s first-team, making 36 appearances in all competitions this season.
The 18-cap Nigeria international is set to meet Arsenal directly on April 29th, when the two face off in the Europa League semi-final.
After La Razón‘s news emerged, all eyes will be on Chukwueze.
However, all eyes will also be on Unai Emery, who now manages Villarreal.
Interestingly, the ex-Arsenal boss is a big fan of Chukwueze, who’s scored four goals and recorded seven assists under Emery this season.
Speaking to Villarreal’s official website, Emery said: “He’s a very young player who has to find consistency. We need to take steps forward with him and be demanding. He’s a footballer with great quality. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to improve in front of goal.”
In our view, Chukwueze would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal.
His €80 million (£70 million) release clause might cause some issues.
However, at 21, he would fit nicely into Mikel Arteta’s next generation including Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães.
Having said that, a new right-back, or a new centre-forward, is perhaps a more pressing issue than adding another wide man.
Arteta has Nicolas Pepe, Martinelli, Saka, Willian, Reiss Nelson and Smith Rowe who can play out wide.
If Villarreal hold firm on Chukwueze’s £70 million release clause, Arsenal and Edu should definitely walk away.
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