Record breaking transfer: Lille splashes N5bn on Chukwueze

By EPHRAIM NWOSU

Samuel Chukwueze is set to quit Villarreal with reigning French champions Lille now the latest club to join the chase to sign him. This much was disclosed by former Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme during an exclusive chat with newstap.com.ng.

According to him, representatives of the Diamond Football Academy product have held talks with officials of Lille FC and is in line for a summer record- breaking transfer  from Villarreal to Les Dogues that could worth 100 million Euros (about N5 billion).

With this latest development, speculations making the rounds recently which have seen Chukwueze linked to plethora of clubs including European heavyweights, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal among others have been put to an end.

“Chukwueze has so far done well for himself and he is open to new challenges provided the offer is right for him,” Ekwueme who is close pal to Chukwueze’s mentor and CEO of Super Stars Football Academy, Uyo Hon Victor Apugo  exclusively told Newstap at Sunfit Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos.

” Chukwueze hosted me in Umuahia about few weeks ago and to the best of my knowledge I know he is wanted by a lot of clubs in Europe. Though he is happy and satisfied with what he has so far achieved at Villarreal, he is hungry for more and would like to seek fresh challenges elsewhere.

” As a matter of fact, discussion is already in progress. If it goes according to plan be rest assured that he may be joining one of the clubs this summer and it could likely be Lille FC. They have been in the forefront to get him since the past few seasons. If what I gathered about the deal should be anything to go by, it will be an excellent signing for him.

“It’s unfortunate that the injury he sustained against Arsenal in the semi-final of the Europa Cup stopped him from featuring in the final. That not withstanding, his over all superb performance at the tournament as well as La Liga further helped to improve his market value in European football.”

Chukwueze,22, tied a bumper deal  that will keep him with the Yellow Submarine outfit till 2023 with a renewed 100 million Euros release clause. Following Chukwueze’s meteoric rise to prominence, his release clause was increased three times from 25 million Euros to 65 million Euros and now 100 million Euros.

He was recently listed by UEFA as one of the most exciting youngsters to watch out for in world football. He finished a remarkable season with a Europa League medal around his neck and managed to score five goals while registering eight assists in all competitions for Villarreal despite being plagued by injuries.

The highly-rated winger is expected to spearhead Lille’s attack next season alongside Burak Yilmaz as they look to return to the Champions League having missed out in the previous season.

The Super Eagles forward would be the fourth Nigerian to play for Lille if the deal eventually scale through having had ex-Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and Victor Osimhen in their payroll.