Borussia Dortmund are allegedly not close to completing the signing of Aston Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the top prospects in English football, a feeling backed up during 2021-22 as he was provided with 447 minutes of first-team football.
However, the playmaker's representatives are keen to establish a path for more regular action at a time when the teenager has just a year left on his contract.
Manager Steven Gerrard has acknowledged in the past that he is keen for Chukwuemeka to continue at Villa, the assumption being that he would be given an increase in minutes.
Nevertheless, clubs are inevitably circling for the talent, who has started each of England's three fixtures at the Under-19 European Championship.
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In recent days, it has been suggested that Borussia Dortmund have firmed up their long-standing interest in Chukwuemeka as they contemplate whether to add another English youngster to their first-team squad.
Jadon Sancho starred for the Bundesliga giants before his move to Manchester United last summer, while Jude Bellingham has been instrumental since departing Birmingham City for the Westfalenstadion.
Nevertheless, according to Sport1 journalist Patrick Berger, Dortmund have no plans to try to push through a deal for Chukwuemeka at the present time.
Berger says that there has never been any agreement between the two clubs, despite claims to the contrary in the English media.
Despite an alleged lack of developments regarding Chukwuemeka's future, speculation will persist regarding his next move over the coming weeks.
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While Villa have added defensive-minded midfielder Boubacar Kamara to their squad, Gerrard is yet to make a more attack-minded signing ahead of 2022-23.
Although that could change later during the summer transfer window, much may depend on whether Chukwuemeka can be convinced to remain at his current club in the long term.
Arsenal and Barcelona have both been credited with a strong interest in the player in recent months, but they have since focused their transfer activity elsewhere.
The Gunners have already committed to spending £34.4m on Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira, while Barcelona are seemingly prioritising the additions of defenders and Robert Lewandowski if they can boost their financial position.
Darren Plant
