Liverpool or any other top European club recently linked with Samuel Chukwueze will have to shell out a princely 63 million Euros if they hope to snap him up from La Liga club Villarreal.
Chukwueze, 20, cost Villarreal only 500,000 Euros when he joined them a season and half ago.
According to L’equipe, the Spanish club now have a contract with the Super Eagles winger till 2023, but clubs who wish to sign him before then will have to splash out 63 million Euros, which is the release clause on his contract.
The former Nigeria U-17 and U-20 star scored eight goals and provided three assists in 38 matches in all competitions this past season.
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Chukwueze has been listed by the authoritative L’Equipe as the 25th best U-20 player in the world.
And Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has tipped him to go on to become a top player in Europe.
“He can become a very good player,” said Rohr. “He has a very good left foot, he is fast, he has a low center of gravity that gives him balance, he can score and pass.”
Chukwu has made Nigeria’s final 23-man squad to the AFCON 19 in Egypt.
14 Comments
Leave this guy alone abeg. Let him grow and learn. Any big move now na benching for him.
I read somewhere that Liverpool could offload Xherdan Shaqiri this summer with Villarreal starlet Samuel Chukwueze as a potential replacement.
Although Shaqiri scored some goals and made mild impact in the champions league for Liverpool, the rumour is that the Swiss international is slightly ‘out of line’ with the overall expectations of Klopp when it comes to technical input.
Chukwueze is seen to be versatile, given that he has played across the frontline this season and as an attacking midfielder at times.
At the tender age of 20, there is also that added advantage of the potential for lightning quick Samuel to developed even further than 27 year old Shaqiri.
Another rumour I have read is the one linking the young Super Eagles winger (whom I dare not predict might flop in the Afcon!) with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.
The story goes that FC Barcelona is seriously interested in signing him as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho, who is the most expensive player in Barça history, has been a glaring flop (that word again!).
Fans are not happy with him as all the promise that followed his transfer from Liverpool failed to materialise.
So, they are thinking of replacing him with Chukwueze and to award the Nigerian his number 7 Jersey.
With these rumours making the rounds I actually like young Chukwueze’s approach when he said: ” I don’t want to rush to join any club but if I leave, it must be the right club who is ready to give me playing time
All my focus is now how to be part of the Super Eagles team to the Nations Cup.” End of quote.
Well said….
“(whom I dare not predict might flop in the Afcon!)” LMAO
Before some people will sacrifice you to ayelala before sunset. Lolz
Lol@drey…. Deo, u really sound like a pessimist sometimes. Why do you always bring up this ‘flop’ clause whenever u are writing something about Sam. Is it that u don’t believe he will succeed or what? I don’t just get it.
He is not ripe for English Premier League football and to succeed Chukwueze will have to learn to take care of himself while aiming to meet the required standard expected of him to maintain a degree or status and expected growth. With the level of young players coming up there days who can also show they mean business he needs to always up his game. There is no chance of that pressure happening in Laliga and he can learn to master consistency, physical attributes and most of be hungry for laurels.
I hope all these hype does not get to his head. He has the potential to become a football superstar, but none step at a time please…
@Oakfield. Thanks for your comment above.
To answer it directly, no I have no doubt in Chukwueze’s abilities hence, if he continues to progress at this rate, the Under 17 world cup winner has it in him to be a star of world (not just Nigeria or Africa) football.
The use of the word ‘flop’ in my write-ups – if properly processed and not taken out of context – has never been intended to mean that the young man will not live up to potentials – far from it.
I wish him and all our players well – even underperforming ones like Iheanacho and Isaac Success are in my prayers
Amen to prayers for our talents that are currently “flopping” I understand your use of the word ‘flop’, simply put, Sam may not perform to expected hyped levels of performance from fans and onlookers…. But Sam is surely going to make Naija proud, both in the long and short runs,if he works hard and continues to improve daily!
I understand you my brother. What I discovered id that your football mindset is more developed than most of us here. Its a fact. Keep it up brother. I enjoy your comments.
And your own mindset inclusive….
Chai!!! CSN please whenever you post of our Golden Boy Sam Chukwueze please banned some People from commenting I.e you know who I am talking about because it gets really frustrating reading some Rubbish Comments against this boys success.
Sam!, Chukwu Gozie gi you will be great! and you will perform Better than we expect you will be the best thing to come out of Super Eagles since Augustine Jay Jay Okocha. Sky is your Limit.
@ugo iwunze, confirm!! He will succeed by God’s Grace, God got that boy’s back.
Critics and comments makes a man successful, without these you cannot reach your full potential because it makes you identify your weakness and strength . If these players listen to only the praises and ignore the critics then there is problem. Deo, speak your mind, same thing happened to Obafemi Martins @ the nations cup because of over expectations.