Aston Villa may be forced to sell Carney Chukwuemeka this summer, as the 18-year-old is out of contract in less than 12 months but won’t sign a new deal. He’s asking for £100k-per-week before he puts pen to paper on a contract extension, so Villa are resigned to losing him.
Chukwuemeka has interest from AS Roma and Barcelona among others this summer, so Villa will have to cash in early rather than risk losing the coveted midfielder for nothing. The Midlands outfit believe they can get £20m for Chukwuemeka, but Paddy Kenny says they shouldn’t sell him.
He recognises the lofty wage demands and admits that the 18-year-old hasn’t earned such a payrise, but he believes Villa should do everything possible to keep him. He told Football Insider: “They have to do everything in their power to keep him.
“But if you are paying an 18-year-old who is not at Premier League level £100,000-a-week, that’s another level, ridiculous. If it was bonus related, then I could maybe understand but that as a straight-up wage is far too much at that age.
“Villa will get something for him if he goes but obviously they could get a lot more if he signs that deal. It’s a tough one because how can an 18-year-old at Aston Villa ask for that much money? Football has gone crazy. It’s not like he has come in and scored 20 goals, he is an unbelievable player and I do think he will be a star.
“The only thing I can think of is that he really wants to leave as soon as possible, but then just say that instead of demanding the money.” Chukwuemeka has made 16 appearances for Villa at senior level, amassing only 433 minutes of playing time, so his contract demands won’t be matched.
The highly-rated central midfielder has racked up more games for the U18s and U23s than the first-team as he’s still in the eve of his career. But if Chukwuemeka has someone in his ear telling him to consider a move away, there’s little Villa can do. He’s out of contract in 2023, so all they can hope for is to make some money from his eventual departure.
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