Reports emerged yesterday that Chelsea are looking to make a move for Bordeaux striker Josh Maja ahead of the January transfer window. According to the 90min, the Blues want a striker that will provide competition for Tammy Abraham, and they feel Maja is the man.
But it appears Maja is not the only Super Eagles star Chelsea are eyeing. According to the Daily Telegraph, Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze is one of the wingers Lampard’s team are looking at.
The Blues who had their transfer ban lifted by CAS this month are making plans towards boosting their squad, and they have identified Chukwueze as one of the players that can improve their attack.
He is on a shortlist that includes Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
Chukwueze has spoken of his dream to play for Chelsea in the past. The Super Eagles star revealed he grew up supporting Lampard’s men because of former Nigeria’s captain-John Mikel Obi who used to play for the Blues.
“I was supporting Chelsea. I used to support every team that featured a Nigerian. So my love for Chelsea then was because of Mikel.
“Maybe in the future, a movement is possible but right now my attention is on Villarreal. I want to focus well on my club and gain more confidence. Maybe when the time is ripe, I can move.”
Signing Chukwueze from Villarreal will cost Chelsea a lot of money as just signed a new deal at Estadio de la Cerámica with a release clause of 100m Euros.
Since making his debut last season, the 20-year-old stock has risen. He was recently nominated for a Kopa trophy award and he’s seen as one of the next stars in La Liga.
The Super Eagles star has scored three goals in 16 La Liga games for Villarreal this season.