The 18-year-old has been given permission to travel to London to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical. He made 12 Premier League appearances last season but only started twice and is understood to be keen to get more time in the top flight. At the end of July, Sky Sports News reported that Chukwuemeka – who was part of the England U19 side that lifted the European Championship title this summer – had no interest in discussing a new contract with the club he has been with since the age of 12 years. Barcelona had shown an interest, while Borussia Dortmund had made a bid for him, and Chukwuemeka wanted to talk to Dortmund about the possibility, having seen the opportunities afforded to other young England exports such as Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham. Steven Gerrard had previously confirmed he was part of his plans for the season despite being left out of the team’s summer tour of Australia, saying: “The best thing for him would be to continue his training back at Bodymoor[Heath training centre]).” The Blues have already signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, along with teenagers Eddie Beach from Southampton and Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal. Image: Chukwuemeka prepares for talks with Chelsea
‘£20m is a good deal for Villa’
Sky Sports News Chief Correspondent Kaveh Solhekol: “He has been described as one of the best young players in England, the reason Aston Villa sold him is because he only has one year left on his contract. “When it became clear he wasn’t going to sign a new contract, he was left out of the squad for their pre-season tour. Aston Villa were willing to let him go as long as he got the right price. From Villa’s point of view 20 £million for an 18-year-old player is a good deal. “He was also part of the England U19 team that won the Euro U19s last month and was in the Team of the Tournament. “Chelsea aren’t just signing big names like Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling, they’re almost taking a two-pronged approach this summer, buying some of the best young players in England. “They got Omari Hutchinson, an 18-year-old winger from Arsenal, and they also added Carney Chukwuemeka.”
Reddy: Chukwuemeka is a gem of Villa’s academy
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy: “Chukwuemeka is a very good player. At 16, he was considered the best 16-year-old in the country, he was already starting for Villa’s U23s and he is the jewel of their youth system, which they are very proud of. “This is very strange – not in the way that Chelsea have done some shocks – but it was thought that he would be heading elsewhere in Europe. Dortmund were very willing, as were Milan, Barcelona went very far in negotiations. only the valuation that took away these groups. “Although he is an amazing talent at 18, it is still a bit much to pay when there are no guarantees as to how he will continue to develop. “Chelsea have a kid who has great vision, is so composed in possession, aware of the dribble and has real confidence in himself. I’m excited to see how he develops if he’s given the chance to progress like he did at Villa.”
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Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1st? Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors on our exclusive Transfer Center blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up on the information and analysis on Sky Sports News.
