Carney Chukwuemeka transfer claim made as Aston Villa contract stand-off continues

Barcelona are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Carney Chukwuemeka if he should leave Aston Villa - with French giants Paris Saint-Germain also said to be interested in the midfielder.

Chukwuemeka is yet to sign fresh terms with Villa and could the teenager can move to a club in Europe for a compensation fee of around £300,000 to £400,000 in a years time. However, it is claimed that Villa have put a £20million price tag on the midfielder for interested clubs this summer, as the likes of Barca, Borussia Dortmund and even Newcastle United are said to be monitoring the situation.

understands contract discussions with Villa are ongoing, but Chukwuemeka has been away from the first-team in the crucial weeks leading up to the new campaign as Villa tour Australia. "Carney is yet to sign a contract offer that has been in place for some time now," Gerrard told Villa TV. "I’ve decided the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor."

Gerrard's decision to leave Chukwuemeka out of the pre-season tour comes after he previously insisted that the 18-year-old is playing at the right club to continue his rapid development as a Premier League midfielder. "We want him to stay here long-term. We believe this is the best place for Carney," Villa boss Gerrard said back in May. "I hope that situation progresses in a positive way."

However, The Telegraph's latest report insists that there has so far been no agreement that will see him remain at Villa beyond next summer. In fact, from January, Chukwuemeka will be permitted to speak to clubs in January about a pre-contract for the 2023/24 season.

Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope has claimed that Barcelona are now leading the race to sign Chukwuemeka amid