Chelsea agree Aston Villa to sign midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Aston Villa teenager Carney Chukwuemeka.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been frozen by manager Steven Gerrard after refusing to sign a contract extension that expires next summer.

Gerrard has left the midfielder out of the club’s pre-season tour in Australia and he is training with players under the age of 23. Gerard is said to have placed a £20m bid for the player.

“Aston Villa and Chelsea can confirm that the clubs have reached agreement for the permanent transfer of Carney Chukwuemeka,” a Villa statement said.

“The 18-year-old has been allowed to travel to London to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical examination.”

Chukwuemeka, who turns 19 in October, made his first-team debut in May 2021 and last season made 13 appearances but only two in the Premier League.

The Blues have also completed the signing of 18-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.

The teenager has signed a six-year contract and will be loaned back to the Major League Soccer club until the end of their season before joining his new owners in early 2023.

Slonina, the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS game at the age of 17 years and 81 days, received his first senior call for the United States in December when he was named among the substitutes for the win. 1-0 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.