Arsenal can sign their own Jude Bellingham if Edu completes summer transfer ahead of Barcelona

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka.

The north Londoners are keen to sign at least one central midfielder this summer, understands, with the likes of Leicester City playmaker Youri Tielemans a key target. Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny also penned a one-year contract extension on Wednesday afternoon but the north Londoners are still light in the middle of the park.

Now, Spanish outlet Sport have claimed that the Gunners, as well as Barcelona, are interested in Villa starlet Chukwuemeka, who has just one year left on his deal with Steven Gerrard's side. The 18-year-old is highly rated at Villa Park but he is thought to want guaranteed game time, with a host of Bundesliga clubs reportedly interested in his signature as well.

In fact, The Daily Mail have previously reported that Borussia Dortmund see Chukwuemeka as the next Jude Bellingham: high praise indeed considering the latter's world-class potential. Perhaps the teen sensation could be encouraged by the development of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli under Mikel Arteta's tutelage but it remains to be seen how concrete Arsenal's interest really is.

If a deal were to happen, the Gunners would be getting a top-quality player according to former Arsenal star Paul Merson. “You look at the positives, the young kid, Chukwuemeka was very good," Merson said on Sky Sports earlier this year.

“He has got a bright future. I don’t see a lot of the kid’s football. First-half, he was outstanding. He was gliding across the pitch. 17-years-old, you are playing in the Premier League in the centre of midfield. I mean that’s a big ask.

“He will be an absolute star. He glides across the pitch. He is a nice