BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
La Liga giants Barcelona are the favourites to sign Aston Villa Nigerian-wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka.
Italian transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano revealed at the weekend that Aston Villa are now open to selling the England U19 sensation of Nigerian descent this summer and added that Barcelona are leading the chase for his services ahead of other elite European clubs.
With Chukwuemeka in the final year of his contract, Aston Villa are willing to cash in on him rather than let him leave for nothing at the end of next season.
Chukwuemeka’s asking price has been set at 20 million pounds by Aston Villa and Barcelona must act quickly to seal the deal as the Anglo-Nigerian is one of the most sought after teenagers in European football at the moment.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the central midfielder and his foreign suitors are not limited to Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
He was omitted from Aston Villa’s pre-season tour of Australia amid speculation surrounding his future.
Chukwuemeka has made sixteen career appearances for Aston Villa’s first team and is angling for a move away from Villa Park due to a lack of first team opportunities.
