Chelsea sign teenage midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa

Philippe Coutinho (R) of Aston Villa celebrates with teammate Carney Chukwuemeka after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on January 15, 2022 in Birmingham, England.

Chelsea have agreed a deal for Aston Villa teenager
Carney Chukwuemeka.

The 18-year-old midfielder had been frozen out by
manager Steven Gerrard after refusing to sign an extension to his contract
which expires next summer.

Gerrard left the midfielder out of the club’s
pre-season tour of Australia and he has been training with the under-23s.
Gerard was understood to have put a £20million price tag on the player.

“Aston Villa and Chelsea can confirm that the
clubs have reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Carney
Chukwuemeka,” said a Villa statement.

“The 18-year-old has been given permission to
travel to London to discuss both personal terms and undergo a medical.”

Chukwuemeka, who turns 19 in October, made his first-team
debut in May 2021 and last season made 13 appearances but has made just two
Premier League starts.