Newcastle will throw their hat in the ring for Carney Chukwuemeka if a transfer tussle for the Aston Villa talent emerges, a report has claimed.
The 18-year-old moved to Villa Park from Northampton Town’s academy in 2016 and has subsequently enjoyed an exciting rise. After two seasons developing in the youth ranks, he has now come to the fore.
But he has reached something of a peak at the same time as a career crossroads. With only one year left on his contract, Chukwuemeka has a decision to make.
Villa understandably want to tie down one of England’s most exciting young talents. Still, they have struggled to agree terms with their star teenager.
Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are all reportedly monitoring his situation.
According to 90min, Newcastle will also fancy their chances if a realistic opportunity to pounce this summer arises.
And given that Chukwuemeka has rejected ‘a number of contract offers’ from Villa, such an opening may come soon. While Villa reportedly remain ‘hopeful’ of tying the midfielder down, they are aware of rival interest.
Chukwuemeka has concerns about his first-team game time and professional development at Villa.
Villa face Chukwuemeka transfer concerns
Seeing the England Under-19s star move across the Premier League would be a blow for Villa. But 90min claims that Steven Gerrard’s side are increasingly aware of the ‘perils’ of him moving abroad next summer.
Should Chukwuemeka move overseas as a free agent, Villa would only be able to receive a compensation fee for him due to his age.
Given his potential, though, that approximate £250,000 fee would be far from satisfactory for Villa.
Chukwuemeka made two Premier League appearances in his breakthrough campaign in 2020/21.
Last term, meanwhile, he featured in 12 top-flight games but only started two of those.
Gerrard caught in dilemma
The best option for Villa, of course, would be to sign Chukwuemeka to a new contract.
Gerrard has a lot of exciting young players in his squad including Jacob Ramsey and Cameron Archer.
Chukwuemeka could therefore make his name alongside the duo in forming a crucial part of Villa’s future.
On the flipside, the youngster has inevitably seen the likes of Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho – and more recently Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori – make moves abroad and be standout successes.
90min claims that Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are all watching Chukwuemeka.
And if he decides to leave, there is no best option for Villa. They can either sell him this summer and watch him develop elsewhere in the Premier League or abroad, or watch him go overseas or across England next summer for a fraction of his true value as a maximum.
