Chukwuemeka joins Chelsea from Aston Villa for 20m
The sought-after midfielder, who began his career at Northampton Town, had only one year remaining on his contract at Villa Park
Chelsea are set to sign the highly-rated teenage midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £20 million.
Chukwuemeka, 18, has travelled to London to agree personal terms and completed a medical before being unveiled as a new Chelsea player.
The sought-after midfielder, who began his career at Northampton Town, had only one year remaining on his contract at Villa Park.
The Midlands club were reluctant to sell and offered Chukwuemeka a contract that would have made him one of the highest-paid teenage footballers in the country.
But Chukwuemeka wanted to join Chelsea and Villa’s chief executive Christian Purslow negotiated a transfer with add-ons worth up to £20m.
A statement from both clubs said: “Aston Villa and Chelsea can confirm that the clubs have reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Carney Chukwuemeka.
“The 18-year-old has been given permission to travel to London to discuss both personal terms and undergo a medical.”
Chukwuemeka, who was born in Austria, has represented England at youth level and often played as a No 10 while rising through Villa’s academy.
Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s new owner and acting sporting director, is understood to be keen on investing in the club’s academy and youth players.
The club are currently attempting to sign defenders for the first team, with Chelsea considering Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters as a possible target.
Former Tottenham Hotspur right-back Walker-Peters is expected to be valued too highly for Chelsea to prise from Southampton but head coach Thomas Tuchel is keen on buying a right wing back to support Reece James.
Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has handed Everton a fresh injury scare after limping out of training. The striker will undergo more tests to determine how long he is out, but he is set to miss the season opener with Chelsea.
The situation is likely to intensify Everton’s efforts to bring in striking reinforcements. Chelsea duo Michy Batshuayi and Armando Broja have previously been discussed.
