Chelsea beat Barcelona to £20m transfer of Aston Villa wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka after star rejected new contract

CHELSEA have confirmed they are signing wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka after agreeing a £20million deal with Aston Villa.

The Blues have beaten Barcelona to the talented midfielder, 18.

And Chukwuemeka will undergo a medical in London tomorrow before signing a six-year contract.

Chelsea are believed to be paying £15m up front, with a further £5m in add-ons.

A Chelsea statement, echoed by a Villa release word-for-word, confirmed: "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."

Chelsea moved for Chukwuemeka after he rejected the chance to sign a new Villa deal.

Steven Gerrard's outfit were desperate to keep the player in the Midlands.

Barcelona were known to be keen on signing the playmaker.

And AC Milan were also interested in a deal.

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But both were put off by Villa’s reported asking price of £20m.

It was hoped Chukwuemeka would remain available until January, when he could be approached over a free transfer.

Given his age, the teen would have commanded a compensation fee worth just £400,000 next summer.

But Chukwuemeka is now on his way to Stamford Bridge.

Several other Premier League sides were said to be interested, as well as teams in Germany and Italy.

Villa’s 2020/21 Academy Player of the Season made 11 senior appearances last term.

And Chukwuemeka is the latest prodigy to sign for Chelsea after Arsenal’s Omari Hutchinson.

The winger is tipped for big things, with none other than football legend Pele a big fan.

And he is now expected to join Reading on a season-long loan.

It means Chukwuemeka could also head elsewhere for regular minutes, with Chelsea’s midfield packed already.