Arsenal, Liverpool to rival Real Madrid for Samuel Chukwueze?

Arsenal and Liverpool could reportedly battle Real Madrid for the signature of Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze during this summer's transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for the Yellow Submarine during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 13 goals and registering 11 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.

Chukwueze only has little over a year left to run on his current deal, however, and there is uncertainty surrounding his long-term future with Quique Setien's side.

Real Madrid are believed to be huge admirers of the Nigeria international, who scored twice against the Spanish and European champions in a 3-2 Villarreal win at Bernabeu earlier this month.

However, according to Defensa Central, there is also huge interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool two of the clubs in the running for his signature.

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The report claims that Everton, West Ham United and Aston Villa are also keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding the Nigerian attacker.

Chukwueze's current deal has a release clause of €100m (£88.7m), but it is understood that offers in the region of €50m (£44.3m) would be seriously considered during the upcoming market.

The forward revealed earlier this month that he came close to joining Arsenal in the early stages of his career, but the Gunners were ultimately unable to come to an agreement with his academy at the time.

"From the [2015 U17] World Cup I went to Arsenal to sign a contract, but it got complicated because they didn't reach an agreement with my academy," Chukwueze told El Periodico Mediterraneo.

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"I went through [Red Bull] Salzburg and Porto before being lucky enough to come to Villarreal. And I signed a pre-contract at the age of 17.

"They told me that I had to return at the age of 18 before signing the final contract as a professional. I said, 'Okay, no problem.' I returned to Nigeria and started training with my academy again."

Chukwueze made his first-team debut for Villarreal in 2018, and he has now represented the Yellow Submarine on 199 occasions, scoring 37 goals and registering 31 assists in the process.

The forward has also been capped on 24 occasions for Nigeria, scoring four times, most recently featuring for his national side against Guinea-Bissau in March.

Chukwueze has netted six goals and registered five assists in 29 La Liga appearances this term, with Setien's side currently sixth in the table, two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis with a game in hand.