Aston Villa are reportedly preparing an ambitious bid to lure Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze away from AC Milan, Soccernet.ng understands.
Despite Chukwueze’s underwhelming start to his Serie A career, Villa boss Unai Emery remains keen on adding the Super Eagles star to his squad, viewing the player as a key piece to strengthen his attacking options.
Italian journalist Alessandro Jacobone revealed via social media that Aston Villa has identified Chukwueze as a prime target.
The Rossoneri winger, signed by Milan in July 2023, struggled to make a significant impact in his debut season and is yet to hit new heights this term.
Nevertheless, Villa appear undeterred by Chukwueze’s modest return of three goals and one assist across all competitions so far this season.
The Premier League club’s proposal reportedly includes a swap deal involving Jaden Philogene, a promising English winger valued at around £15 million.
Philogene, known for his speed and versatility, has made 15 appearances this season, accumulating 535 minutes on the pitch. Villa hopes this technical counterpart could entice Milan into accepting the offer.
Chukwueze’s numbers at Milan underline his challenging adaptation. The Nigerian has featured in all 15 Serie A matches this season, starting in seven and logging a total of 605 minutes.
His sole league goal came in a 1-0 win over Udinese in October. He has notched one assist in four Champions League games while he scored twice in a 6-1 mauling of Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia earlier in December.
Milan, however, face a dilemma. While Chukwueze’s performances have been inconsistent, his potential remains undeniable, evidenced by his contributions in crucial matches.
With Milan’s next league fixture against Hellas Verona looming, the decision on whether to part ways with the winger could hinge on how the Rossoneri view his long-term value.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Villa’s tempting offer, featuring the young and dynamic Philogene, can persuade Milan to greenlight Chukwueze’s Premier League switch.
Chukwueze, who was signed by AC Milan for just over 20 million euros, is currently valued at €18 million according to Transfermarkt.