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After refusing to put pen to paper with a new contract, Aston Villa’s Carney Chukwuemeka has been left out of Steven Gerrard’s pre-season tour squad.
The central midfielder, who is reportedly a target of Liverpool and Arsenal, is believed to have had a contract offer on the table from Villa for over a year now.
And with no indication that he’s set to sign any time soon, Gerrard has “decided the best would be” for Chukwuemeka to “continue his training programme” at home as per Fabrizio Romano.
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This news will put a number of Premier League clubs on red alert with a top English prospect potentially available this summer for very little.
Moving for Chukwuemeka would certainly be wise for a club like Liverpool.
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The 18-year-old is a bit of an all-action midfielder, and would be comfortable performing in the roles either side of Fabinho at Liverpool.
The Reds’ senior midfield options are ageing, and that area of the pitch will need to be restructured in the coming years.
That restructuring is set to begin next summer when Jude Bellingham becomes available for transfer.
But that long-term planning for Liverpool’s midfield really needs to start as soon as possible, and Chukwuemeka could be just the man to spark that revolution.
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He is a player who’d arrive at Liverpool with little experience under his belt, but he’d be able to learn from the senior heads already present at Anfield, and eventually claim a starting role.
Not only would this make sense on the pitch, but also in an economic sense.
Given his contractural issues, the potential acquisition of the Aston Villa man’s services wouldn’t be too pricey.
Chukwuemeka would arrive on the cheap, and hopefully leave Liverpool one day as a star player worth a lot more than what they bought him for.
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If not, given Liverpool wouldn’t need to spend too much on him, sleep wouldn’t have to be lost if he fails to fulfil his potential.
Liverpool may be deterred by Chukwuemeka’s transfer antics, but a move for him would be a wise one from the Anfield club.
Topics: Liverpool, Arsenal, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours