Barcelona to battle two other clubs for Aston Villa’s Carney Chukwuemeka

The transfer pendulum has begun to swing at Barcelona this summer after the Catalan giants have finally made headway in their bid to close the gap to bitter rivals Real Madrid both at home and abroad.

Barcelona finally confirmed a move for Leeds United’s Brazilian sparkplug Raphinha earlier today while the Spanish giants are said to have taken major steps in their pursuit of Polish international superstar Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona ‘leading race for Aston Villa wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka’ https://t.co/xHvzONwedt

— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 15, 2022

But the Xavi project in Catalunya could be set for an unexpected turn during the summer transfer window after reports in Mail Online claim Barcelona are on the heels of Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chukwuemeka, 18, came through the ranks at Villa Park in the last six years after arriving from Northampton in 2016 at the age of twelve and has already broken into the first-team over the last two years while making 12-appearances in the Premier League under Steven Gerrard in 2021-22.

The Austrian-born England youth international has refused a long-standing contract extension in Birmingham, however, which subsequently left Gerrard with little choice but to leave him out of the pre-season traveling squad which has thrown fresh doubt into his long-term future with the club.

2F63KXK Cardiff, UK. 29th Mar, 2021. Carney Chukwuemeka of England in action. U18 Football international match, Wales v England, at the Leckwith stadium in Cardiff, South Wales on Monday 29th March 2021. Editorial use only. pic by Andrew Orchard/Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News

Though Barcelona has recruited heavily since the arrival of Xavi, particularly in the forward line, a central-midfield profile of Chukwuemeka’s would offer Barça a goalscoring central option with bags of potential given his goal record for England’s U19 side where he has bagged 5-goals in 11-caps.

Capable of also playing in a more advanced attacking role rather than just a mobile central role, Chukwuemeka could offer another long-term puzzle piece at the Camp Nou alongside the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Nico González.

With Villa said to want £20million for his services, Barcelona could struggle to stump up the cash despite the hopeful sale of Frenkie de Jong, the Catalans could miss out on a move while both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be sniffing around with both clubs still capable of mobilizing the financial strength to secure a deal.

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