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Aston Villa are reportedly “open to selling” Carney Chukwuemeka, amid speculation over his future, Megasportsarena.com understands.
The 18-year-old midfielder made 14 appearances for Villa last season as he made the step up to the first team. Chukwuemeka then starred for England U19s this summer as he produced three goals and two assists in the Young Lions’ run to winning the Euros
However, after entering the last 12 months of his contract, he has been at the centre of transfer reports, with Barcelona linked with a move for the teenager. Steven Gerrard has since decided to leave Chukwuemeka out of Villa’s pre-season camp in Australia as a result of him being yet to sign a fresh deal with the club.
Fellow Nigeria-born Tim Iroegbunam has been included in the training camp. However, the Villa boss is keen for all of his players to be fully focussed on their preparations for the new season and Gerrard outlined his reasons for leaving Chukwuemeka at home.
“Carney is yet to sign a contract offer that has been in place for some time now,” he told Villa TV . “I’ve decided the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor.”
It was first claimed in November that Chukwuemeka had rejected Villa’s offer of a new deal, prompting interest from several clubs, including Barcelona. The Spanish giants were recently reported to hold a “serious interest” in the Villa midfielder and would be able to agree a compensation fee in the region of £300,000 in January, if Chukwuemeka does not put pen to paper.
Villa are “losing patience” with the “contract standoff” and are “open to selling” Chukwuemeka this summer, rather than risk him further running down his contract. The England youth international is said to have been “followed closely by Borussia Dortmund” as well other clubs across England and Europe.
The academy star first earned plaudits for his talismanic role in the club’s Youth Cup winning side and was rewarded by Dean Smith with his debut in May 2021. When first asked about Chukwuemeka’s contract in November, Gerrard responded positively: “We believe this is the right place for him. If anyone else thinks it’s not, then I would like to sit in front of them and discuss it.”
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