Aston Villa announced on Tuesday that the club have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the permanent sale of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
Chukwuemeka, one of England’s brightest young talents, refused to sign a new contract with Villa this summer and expressed his intention to leave on a free transfer next year.
Fearful of losing the 18-year-old for a nominal fee, Villa slapped a £20 million price tag on Chukwuemeka and banished him to train with the U21s. The likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan reportedly held interest in the teen sensation.
In a surprise twist, Chukwuemeka is set to remain in England with Chelsea having made only 11 appearances and two starts for 14th-place Villa last season.
Manager Steven Gerrard urged the midfielder to sign a new contract with the club and, in hindsight, may have been withholding playing time in a bid to secure his signature.
Chukwuemeka led England to a Under-19 European Championship alongside Villa products Aaron Ramsey and Tim Iroegbunam earlier this summer. He is now expected to head to London to finalize a permanent transfer.
According Fabrizio Romano, the deal is for a base fee of £15 million with add-ons.
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