One of Nigeria's most exciting attackers could be caught in a transfer tug-of-war as Spanish football's two wealthiest clubs want his services
Villarreal's talented winger Samuel Chukwueze has emerged as a prime target for Spanish giants Barcelona, with the Catalans eyeing him as the ideal replacement for their Newcastle-linked star, Raphinha, Soccernet.ng understands.
Barcelona may need to fend off interest from Real Madrid for the Super Eagles winger, though.
Chukwueze's excellent performance in Villarreal's stunning victory at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid recently has made him a hot commodity, and Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, is keen on securing his signature.
However, Barcelona are not willing to back down easily.
According to reports from El Gol Digital (via Diariogol), the Catalan club sees Chukwueze as the perfect replacement for Raphinha, who is expected to depart in the upcoming transfer window.
Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, is closely monitoring the situation as he looks to secure a hefty fee for Raphinha's departure.
Newcastle United are currently leading the race for the Brazilian winger, with a rumoured offer exceeding 60 million euros on the table.
Laporta sees this as an opportunity to inject funds into the club and invest in Chukwueze, with a budget of around 40 million euros earmarked for the potential signing.
The battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid may intensify as they vie for the Nigerian winger's services.
Barcelona will aim to thwart Florentino Pérez's plans by securing one of the league's standout performers and making him Raphinha's successor at the legendary Spotify Camp Nou.
Yet, Florentino Pérez has his own agenda.
The Real Madrid president has already set his sights on Chukwueze for the 2023/2024 season. Impressed by the Nigerian's display at the Santiago Bernabéu, Pérez has devised a plan to entice him to join Los Blancos.
According to the report, Pérez is willing to offer 30 million euros, along with either Sergio Arribas or Andriy Lunin, while including a buyback clause worth 10-15 million euros.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the battle lines are drawn between Barcelona and Real Madrid for the coveted signature of Samuel Chukwueze.
Only time will tell which Spanish giant will emerge victorious in this pursuit. Still, one thing is certain: Chukwueze's rise to stardom has made him a highly sought-after talent, and both clubs are determined to secure his services for the upcoming season.
