Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has set his sights on a possible transfer for Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze, according to reports.
These reports came in after the Diamond Football Academy graduate impressed for Villarreal against Los Blancos in their LaLiga game over the weekend.
The 23-year-old led the Yellow Submarine to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring two goals in their hard-fought 3 – 2 win over the Spanish champions. The performance was typical of the forward who has constantly impressed for Villarreal against the El Clasico sides in the four-and-a-half seasons he has been at the club.
Villarreal came closer to their UEFA Champions League goal with that win. Florentino Perez, who was present at the game, was impressed and was reported to have inquired about the winger's availability from Villarreal's president Fernando Roig.
Real Madrid are looking to add a few players to their squad next season. Two forwards and a midfielder are the priority according to many Spanish media outlets. Chukwueze has had a great season for the Yellow Submarine. His 13 goals and 11 assists for the club this season places him among their most productive players this season. He has previously been targeted by Serie A giants AC Milan and some Premier League sides.
Fiorentina in the Serie A and Premier League Aston Villa, on the behest of his former manager Unai Emery, have also inquired about him. Madrid look set to throw their hat in the ring for the winger, whose stock in European football is rising rapidly.
Marca Journalist Pedro Pablo Parrado broke this news. “Florentino liked it and in the box they [Fiorentina Perez and Fernando Roig] discussed the possibility of having Vinicius in one band and Chukwueze in the other, two daggers,” he claimed.
Chukwueze's current contract at the Estadio de la Cerámica is set to expire in June 2024. Villarreal are reportedly open to selling him and have slapped a price tag of €80 million on the 23-year-old Nigerian. His sale will be a big profit for the Yellow Submarine as they had registered him as a youth player during his first few years at the club.
Chukwueze is also interested in joining the Spanish champions. This is thanks to his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, who he sees as his football idol and is trying to emulate.
The Nigeria international has told his agent to prioritise any offers from Perez and his team over the interested parties in England or in Italy. His price tag – which also happens to be his release clause – could stand in the way of his transfer in the summer, however.
It remains to be seen if Perez's interest is serious or it was just a run-of-the-mill discussion about a player who is impressive. Should Chukwueze join Real Madrid, he will be competing with Rodrygo Goes for a spot on the left hand side of Los Blancos' attack.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
