Villarreal Samuel Chukwueze may be available for around £15 million this summer, AS say, with Everton and Aston Villa among the Premier League clubs reportedly keen on the La Liga star.
If the Nigeria international had been tied down to a long-term deal at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal would almost certainly demand a substantial sum for a player in the form of his life. Perhaps one in line with his £80 million release clause.
Chukwueze, during Sunday’s 3-0 win at Osasuna, took his seasonal tally to 11 goals and 11 assists. 2022/23 is rapidly becoming the best and most consistent campaign of his young career.
But, with his contract expiring in 2024, Villarreal are facing up to the prospect of losing one of Spanish football’s most electrifying attackers for a knock-down fee. AS believe that Chukwueze, who nearly joined Arsenal as a teenager, may soon be available for a fee in the region of £15 million.
This comes only a few months after Everton, per Marca, were willing to sign Chukwueze on loan with a £40 million option-to-buy clause in his contract. Do not rule out a reunion with former Villarreal coach Unai Emery either; Aston Villa very much in the market for a goalscoring wideman.
Everton and Aston Villa like Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze
“We are very happy with Samuel Chukwueze,” Emery once said of a man labelled the ‘Nigerian Arjen Robben’ due to his penchant for cutting inside onto his left foot from the right-hand side.
“He’s growing up with us at this club. His performance is getting better, little by little. He’s young and has a very good future. But, first, he’s trying to get better with his performances for us and the national team.”
It is four years since Chukwueze burst onto the scene with a mesmerising performance during a 4-4 draw between Villarreal and Barcelona on the Castellon coast. At the time, last season’s Champions League semi-finalists were reluctant to sell for a penny less than £80 million (90Min).
Now, at the age of 23, Chukwueze is finally adding some much-needed consistency to his speed and skill. He has never looked more like an £80 million. Ironically, his contract situation means Villarreal would be fortunate to get even half of that sum these days.
“He is an incredible player,” former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o once told Goal of Chukwueze.
“He is a quality player and needs to score more goals. But he has the quality and ability to be more than just a goal-scoring forward. Once he gets all of that, he will be top.”
