Chelsea confirm deal to sign Aston Villa star in £15m transfer

Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign England U21 midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chukwuemeka, 18, made 19 appearances for Villa after making his first-team debut at the end of the 2020-21 season.

The highly-rated midfielder made 11 Premier League appearances last season under Steven Gerrard and was hailed as a ‘future star’ by former Arsenal and England winger Paul Merson after making his first senior start.

Chelsea’s deal for Chukwuemeka is believed to be worth an initial £15m, although the overall package could rise to £20m once add-ons are taken into account.

A statement from Chelsea read: ‘Aston Villa and Chelsea can confirm that the clubs have reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Carney Chukwuemeka.

‘The 18-year-old has been given permission to travel to London to discuss both personal terms and undergo a medical.’

Chukwuemeka, who was Aston Villa’s Academy Player of the Year for 2020-21, will travel to London tonight to complete the transfer and put pen to paper on a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

He is expected to undergo his medical tomorrow, with Chelsea hoping to unveil the midfielder as their third summer signing before their Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday.

Thomas Tuchel has already welcomed England forward Raheem Sterling and Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea this summer, although Chukwuemeka will certainly be one for the future.

More to follow…