Villarreal of Spain winger, Samuel Chukwueze has gained another heavy transfer boost to his growing value, as sports247.ng learnt he is now on the radars of Arsenal and Leicester City for a fee of £36m.
So soon after reports emerged that former La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid are also interested in snatching Chukwueze from Villarreal, the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup revelation is now wanted in England.
Though Chukwueze poured cold water at the weekend in the transfer link with Atletico, it is left to be seen what his reaction will be for the double focus coming his way from the English Premier League.
Incidentally, both Leicester and Arsenal have very strong Nigerian connections, which could be instrumental in the possibility of the youngster opting out of Villarreal in the summer.
Arsenal Nigerian connections, which began with Nwankwo Kanu in 1997, continue with Alex Iwobi on their cards, plus other youngsters in their youth teams, across all age-grade levels.
Similarly, Leicester, who once had the duo of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Ahmed Musa, still have Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho in their main squad as well as some Nigerian-born kids in the youth squad.
Dramatically, though, Arsenal turned down the opportunity of getting Chukwueze for a cheaper fee soon after the Cadet Mundial in 2015.
Back then, Arsenal failed to reach an agreement with Chukwueze’s agent on a £4m deal, as they preferred 2015 Eaglets’ skipper, Kelechi Nwakali.
Chukwueze is now rated £36m and The Gunners have joined the chase for the Diamond Academy product, who has four goals in 13 matches across all competitions for Villarreal this season.
The 19-year-old, who debuted for the Super Eagles in a friendly match against Uganda in Asaba, was promoted to Villarreal’s main team in the summer, after impressive performances with their Segunda Liga squad.
He could be on his way to Emirates Stadium in 2019, as Arsenal are determined to make up for what they missed in 2015.
Where they missed out back then, though, The Gunners are back in the picture, as they aim to right all wrongs, but Leicester are also lurking.
