With Renato Veiga having moved from Chelsea to bolster the Juve defence, there is definite interest in bringing in a creative midfielder should summer signing Douglas Luiz leave.
Chukwuemeka has a €47.8 million (US$50m) price tag, which seems a hefty bit extreme for the 21-year-old. Although he was wanted by Barcelona as a teenager.
Leading Russian sides, before the Ukraine war, were keen to secure Chukwuemeka’s signature in 2022. However, the Aston Villa player instead moved to Chelsea.
A loan appears to be the only viable option if Chelsea are going to continuously trim their squad. Everton and West Ham United have both recently appointed a new head coach, so understandably there’s been speculation that Chukwuemeka could make the switch to either English Premier League (EPL) club.
Everton boss David Moyes has been sounding out a number of Chelsea misfits to pick up on loan before the 3 February transfer deadline. While West Ham’s newly recruited Graham Potter was head coach at Chelsea, so he worked with Chukwuemeka.
This season Chukwuemaka has been subjected to little playing time under head coach Enzo Maresca. He’s made just five appearances this term, and is seen as being surplus to requirements.
Juventus are just one of a trio of potential European destinations for Chukwuemaka. Borussia Dortmund in Germany and French highflyers Olympique de Marseille are also in the mix if a loan without an obligation to buy can be agreed.
Brazilian Luiz, who has been a bit player under Juve head coach Thiago Motta, appears to be unhappy in Turin. With a pair of English teams deemed as potential suitors for the former Aston Villa ace, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City seems the biggest lure as they are serial trophy winners.
The EPL champions have reportedly tabled an improved offer for Luiz on loan, with an obligation to buy for €35 million (US$36.5m).
If the clubs can come to an agreement then Chukwuemeka will become a priority target. Yet Luiz leaving would weaken the Bianconeri’s hand in negotiations, as Chelsea will be fully aware that Juve urgently require a new top-class midfielder.
Chukwuemaka has previously turned down the opportunity to ply his trade overseas, and he may well settle once again for competing in the English top tier rather than light up Serie A,