Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign talented youngster Carney Chukwuemeka in a £20million deal.
football.london understands that Chukwuemeka, who had less than a year left on his current deal with Villa, has been given permission to travel to London and complete a medical ahead of his move to the Blues. The 18-year-old is set to become Chelsea's third summer signing after the west Londoners fought off interest from Barcelona, Arsenal and Liverpool to secure a deal for Chukwuemeka.
The highly-rated midfielder was left out of Steven Gerrard's side in pre-season with talks of a contract renewal having stalled between the club and player. football.london understands there remains a priority to strengthen the Blues' defence ahead of the new season, but deal a for Chukwuemeka is set to be finalised this week following Gabriel Slonina's move as Chelsea plan for the future.
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The arrival of the 18-year-old signals that Thomas Tuchel has one eye on the ageing midfield problem facing Chelsea, with N'Golo Kante and Jorginho entering the final year of their deals at Stamford Bridge. Chukwuemeka may see that as an opportunity after meeting with Tuchel in London last week, with the German having convinced the youngster in signing for the Blues.
Once the England under-19 international has signed, there is the small matter of choosing a shirt number. Chelsea have a bloated squad with some players still yet to be handed a shirt number, leaving minimal options for Chukwuemeka. So, with that being said, football.london takes a closer look at what numbers could be available to the youngster.
No.33
Chukwuemeka's shirt number for Aston Villa was No.33 and the 18-year-old could look to carry this number into next season by taking it at Chelsea.
Emerson Palmieri currently holds the No.33 but with the Italian defender not being a key player in the squad, Chukwuemeka could look at inheriting the number for the 2022/23 season.
No.14
The talented midfielder has worn the No.14 jersey on occasions for England Under-19s. Trevoh Chalobah currently holds this shirt number and would need to vacate the jersey to allow Chukwuemeka to take it after his £20million move is confirmed.
It is unlikely Chalobah would be willing to vacate the shirt number with the defender expected to be rotated in Tuchel's team after impressing last season.
No.25
Other than No.2 and No.4, which will likely stay vacant until new defensive signings have been added to Tuchel's squad, the No.25 shirt is the next number available to Chukwuemeka.
The last player to wear this shirt number was club legend Gianfranco Zola, so the 18-year-old would be in good company should he select this jersey.
No.11
With Timo Werner being linked with a return to RB Leipzig this summer, Chukwuemeka's arrival could see the 18-year-old be brave and steal the No.11 shirt from the German forward.
It would be a statement of intent if Chukwuemeka was to look to take the shirt number from Werner, despite it being an unlikely one.
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