"Expected to bid": Journo drops huge Villa transfer update, supporters will be furious - opinion

A major update on the future of Carney Chukwuemeka has emerged after he reportedly rejected Aston Villa‘s latest contract offer…

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has dropped the latest news on the situation, he said on Twitter:

“Carney Chukwuemeka has rejected #AVFC contract extension and no sign of agreement. He can seal [a] pre-contract with another club in January and leave for around £400,000 next summer, which many would explore in his situation. Clubs expected to bid before that.”

Villa boss Steven Gerrard left the 18-year-old out of their pre-season tour of Australia last week and it’s believed that the Midlands outfit have slapped a £20m price tag on his head, though they are yet to receive any offers of this calibre.

Football Insider believed the Bodymoor Heath gem is asking for wages of around £100k-per-week, which would make him the club’s second-highest earner behind Danny Ings (£120k-per-week) and ahead of the likes of John McGinn (£25k-per-week) and Tyrone Mings (£80k-per-week).

Premier League rivals Leeds United and Manchester United, as well as LaLiga giants FC Barcelona are said to be keen on signing the Villa youngster, and the latter side are free to speak to him from January onwards.

Losing one of their more promising youngsters to emerge from the academy would be a gutting and frustrating blow to the manager and the Villa Park faithful as Chukwuemeka has bags of potential.

Soon after his arrival in the Midlands, Gerrard waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old midfielder and stated that he would like him to stay.

“Hopefully he is going to be a big player for Aston Villa,” he told reporters (via the Express and Star). “We want him to stay here long-term. We believe this is the best place for Carney. I hope