Samuel Chukwueze: Super Eagles star reveals real reason he chose Milan despite Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich interest

Samuel Chukwueze recently made the move to AC Milan after spending the last seven years at Villarreal, winning the Europa League in 2021.

Samuel Chukwueze has revealed that he joined Serie A giants AC Milan to win trophies, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 24-year-old joined the Rossoneri from LA LIGA side Villarreal last month, following weeks of negotiations between the two clubs. Villarreal had placed a £35m fee on the Nigerian and rejected Milan’s initial £20m bid before both clubs later settled on £28m.

Chukwueze had his presentation press conference on Wednesday, having made his debut in the final minutes of last night’s 1-1 Trofeo Berlusconi draw with Monza, which the Rossoneri won on penalties.

The fans have been fantastic since I arrived, the best fans I’ve ever seen so far in my career. When I was with my national team, they contacted me on Instagram and were asking all the time when I was coming, I told my agent to make it happen, the 24-year-old revealed. 

He also admitted that the phone conversation he had with Coach Pioli was pivotal in making him decide Milan was the place for him

He is a fantastic man. He explained the tactical plan, what he wants from me, and why they want to sign me. If the coach called me and didn’t have a project, I don’t think I would be here. He’s a fantastic man, a great coach, and motivated me. There are many new players and we need time to adapt, but with time, I’m sure we’ll win Serie A.

I can’t wait to get started. I think we have the team to beat anyone in Serie A, so meeting Inter, Juventus, for sure we can beat them.

I didn’t come to watch or earn money, I’m here to win trophies. My work is to play football and write my name in the history of Milan so that people will remember me in the future. I want to make a name for myself and Milan. I can’t come here and not win. My priority is to win something, Scudetto, Champions League, Coppa Italia, he was quoted by Football Italia

The former Yellow Submarine winger also revealed that his Super Eagles’ teammate Victor Osimhen, who also plays in Italy but ply his trade for Napoli, was another key figure in convincing him to make the switch to Italy.

He’s my best friend, we played from Under-17 to the Super Eagles, so we started together. I asked him for advice about Serie A, he said Milan is a big club, a fantastic club and I’m gonna kill it in Serie A. The most important thing he said was to talk to the coach and make sure he wants you, so Pioli is very supportive.

He joked that Napoli should sign me, but I will go to AC Milan and it will be great when we play each other, Chukwueze concluded 

The Nigerian International could get the chance to make his first competitive debut for Milan in their opening game of the Serie A season away at Bologna on 21 August.