Arsenal and Leicester ponder summer move for Villarreal's Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze

ENGLISH Premier League giants Arsenal and Leicester look set to table a bid for Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze following his scintillating form with Spanish side Villarreal this season that has made him the centre of attention across Europe.

Chukwueze, 19, is now rated £36m following his breathtaking form in Spain's La Liga since the start of the current campaign. Originally a product of Nigeria's Diamond Academy and a member of the 2015 U17 World Cup team, Chukwueze has four goals in 13 matches across all competitions for Villarreal this season.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are also interested in his services but the player is said to be keen on a move to England and it is believed he could make a move in the summer. Arsenal would be an ideal club for him given the side's Nigerian connections which began with the Gunners signing Nwankwo Kanu in 1997 and continue today with Alex Iwobi in the team.

Similarly, Leicester, who once had the duo of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Ahmed Musa in its team, currently have Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho in their main squad.  Arsenal, however, turned down the opportunity of getting Chukwueze for a cheaper fee soon after the U17 World Cup in 2015 after the club failed to reach an agreement with his agent on a £4m deal, preferring to sign the Golden Eaglets kipper, Kelechi Nwakali.

Chukwueze, who debuted for the Super Eagles in a friendly match against Uganda in Asaba, was promoted to Villarreal’s main team in the summer, after impressive performances with their Segunda Liga squad. He could be on his way to Emirates Stadium in 2019, as Arsenal are determined to make up for what they missed out on in 2015.