Transfer notebook: Aston Villa set to lose millions as Carney Chukwuemeka refuses new deal

Aston Villa risk losing millions of pounds in transfer fees after Carney Chukwuemeka rejected contract proposals to extend his deal at Villa Park.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who has attracted a bid from Barcelona, is out of contract in less than a year and can move to a foreign club for compensation of around £300,000 to £400,000.

There has been no agreement over fresh terms at Villa to secure his future, with Steven Gerrard leaving him out of the club’s tour to Australia with the new deal unsigned, insisting “the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor”.

No club is yet to meet the teenager’s £20 million valuation despite Barcelona's clear interest and with other clubs also admirers of one of Europe’s biggest young talents.

He was named in the team of the tournament for England’s triumph in the Under-19s European Championship this summer which only heightened interest in a player who broke into Gerrard’s team last season.

Chukwuemeka is permitted to speak to clubs in January about a pre-contract for the 2023/24 season when he would move in the summer as a free agent, with a foreign club only required to pay small compensation. German clubs have been closely watching his development.

With the end of the window next month, the value of the player is set to drop as he approaches the time he can sign a pre-contract.

He was born in Austria but grew up in Northampton, who he played for before moving to Villa in 2016 and later becoming a pro, with his senior debut coming last season, one of 14 appearances for the first team. He has captained England Under-19s and was their key performer this summer.

Celtic are in talks with Aaron Mooy over the Australia midfielder joining them as a free