Man Utd eye transfer move for Carney Chukwuemeka, who Aston Villa reckon is England’s best 16-year-old

MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are being linked with a midfielder Aston Villa rate as England’s best 16-year-old.

Villa still hope Carney Chukwuemeka will agree a contract to stay but a clutch of top clubs are now reportedly trailing their England u-17 star.

Carney Chukwuemeka, seen playing for England Under-17s, is one of the hottest teenage properties in British footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Birmingham sensation Jude Bellingham is also just 16 – but Carney Chukwuemeka is only a part-time player as he is still at schoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The Premier League strugglers hope to persuade the school-kid there would be a clearer path through to first-team action if he stayed with them.

But The Athletic say Manchester City are rivalling Premier League leaders Liverpool and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s youth-oriented United in monitoring him.

Villa believe their plans to upgrade the academy could help persuade box-to-box player Chukwuemeka he could fulfil all his short-term ambitions with them.

BEHIND BELLINGHAM

And it is thought Villa had held discussions over his future before their Bodymoor Heath training complex was shut due to the coronavirus pandemic last month.

Now, though, football action is on hold – and clubs are even unsure when the transfer window will take place.

Villa CEO Christian Purslow recently hailed Chukwuemeka as “probably the best 16-year-old in England right now”.

Chukwuemeka is still a part-timer while he completes his school studies.

So in terms of football development he is behind fellow 16-year-old sensation Jude Bellingham.

The versatile Birmingham midfielder, wanted by United, is already a Championship regular after an astonishing breakthrough season.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk