Arsenal and Liverpool boost in Samuel Chukwueze race as Villarreal make transfer admission
illarreal have confirmed their need to sell players amid Arsenal and Liverpool’s reported interest in Samuel Chukwueze.
The Nigerian forward, 24, was an integral part of the Yellow Submarine side that recently secured a fifth-place finish in LaLiga, and club CEO Roig Negueroles has confirmed that the player would like a move to the Premier League.
“Samu is an extraordinary player who has been with us for many years,” he told AS.
“It is true that he is excited to play for a big club in Europe or in the Premier League, and we have always worked hand in hand to improve him. If this option came up, we would sit down and negotiate it.
“But it will be necessary to see if any beneficial offer arrives. In this case, no offer has yet arrived and he has one more year on his contract. We’re clear that if something very good doesn't come along, he will continue.”
Arsenal are considering moves for a new attacker this summer and have had a bid for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz rejected. Liverpool have been more strongly linked with Chukwueze, who is reportedly worth as much as £68million to Villarreal.
However, Negueroles has admitted that the Spanish side need to cash in on some of their star talents to break even financially.
“We don't want to do anything drastic” he noted. “We're not going to make a lot of changes.
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“But if we do not lower the wage bill further, we are obliged to make an accounting profit via sales. It is not an ideal situation, since being forced to do something is never good.
“To break even, we have to sell. But let us be clear that we are not in a hurry, nor are we going to undervalue anyone. We have a lot of talent in the squad and many young players, so we are aware that there may be a way out, but they won’t all leave.”