Liverpool to battle Manchester United for Carney Chukwuemeka

According to the Athletic (h/t Birmingham Mail), Liverpool are set to battle it out with arch-rivals Manchester United for exciting Aston Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka.

The 16-year-old wonderkid is considered to be the best prospect in the Villa academy. He was recently hailed as the best player for his age in the country by Villa chief executive Christian Purslow.

It is noteworthy that Purslow was the Managing Director at Liverpool and played a key role in the club’s sale to NESV in 2010. Purslow made the comment while speaking at the Villa Supporters Trust’s AGM earlier in the year. He urged the need to have a strong youth program before going on to mention Chukwuemeka.

“We have one right now, probably the best 16-year-old in England, Carney. Absolutely no debate, he’s starting for the U23s.”

Carney Chukwuemeka has been called the best player in his age group — Casey Chukwuemeka could be on his way out of Villa

Villa are keen to sign the player on for the long-term. The player has, however, refused to commit his future to the Villans. Talks between them had taken place prior to the shutdown. It is now in limbo with an agreement yet to be reached. (h/t Birmingham Mail)

Apart from United, Manchester City are also keen on signing the youngster after having watched him in action for the Villa Under-18s. It is a testament to the player’s talent that he has made the step up to the Under 23s while still being only 16.

With the coronavirus pandemic likely to hit club revenues, we may not be able to spend heavily in the transfer market.

Prepared for the worst!

With that being a possibility, it is important that we have a strong youth system to supply players to the first-team. Liverpool have seen a number of young stars make the step up to the first-team this season.

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The likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams, and Yaser Larouci have all performed admirably when called upon. Adding Chukwuemeka to that list will do us no harm. Being an Englishman, he will also add to our domestic quota of players.

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Liverpool fans will take Purslow’s comments about Chukwuemeka with a pinch of salt. It is hard for us to view the Villa youngster as the best 16-year-old in the country, after having seen what Harvey Elliott is capable of. It won’t do us any harm to have the two best players of that age group at Anfield. Beating United and City to him will make it even better.