Arsenal Joins Pursuit for Ideal Bukayo Saka Replacement Amid Santi Cazorla Transfer Claim
According to recent reports, Arsenal has entered the competition to acquire the services of Samuel Chukwueze, the winger from Villarreal.
The Italian publication Calciomercato suggests that the Gunners are prepared to contend with several clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid, Aston Villa, AC Milan, and West Ham United, in the pursuit of signing Chukwueze during the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, Milan is currently seen as the frontrunner in the race for the Nigerian player, who is assessed to be worth €60 million (£51 million) by the CIES Football Observatory.
Last season, the 24-year-old Samuel Chukwueze showcased his skills by scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in various competitions, as reported by transfermarkt. However, his abilities extend beyond his impressive statistics in the attacking third.
Known for his exceptional one-on-one skills, Chukwueze’s talent is highly regarded. In fact, according to fbref, he was among the top players in La Liga in terms of successful take-ons during the 2022/23 season, with only two players recording more.
Santi Cazorla, an Arsenal legend who previously played with Chukwueze at Villarreal, has acknowledged receiving inquiries about the talented winger from his friends at the north London club.
When asked if he received numerous phone calls from England regarding Chukwueze and his teammate Pau Torres, Cazorla revealed to Spanish outlet Marca that he indeed received calls, particularly from friends associated with Arsenal.
“They ask me about them and think they can make the jump to the Premiership tomorrow. It’s good that great teams are interested in young players from Villarreal, but for the moment I tell them to leave them alone here.”
In 2019, Samuel Chukwueze, a rapid young player, expressed his admiration for the renowned Dutch legend Arjen Robben. Similar to Arsenal’s talented young player Bukayo Saka, Chukwueze is left-footed and typically operates on the right side of the field.
Robben is famous for his signature move of cutting inside from the right flank onto his left foot. When discussing Robben with Goal, Chukwueze shared his thoughts, stating: “He’s the king, to me. He’s the perfect player. I watch so many YouTube clips of him, and there are so many things I can learn from watching him.
“On the way to games, even now, I will still stick on clips of Robben and watch his goals, his dribbling. He’s my inspiration, one of the greatest. I like to be me, and of course you have to be yourself, but you need to learn from people like him. What a player.”
Arsenal Joins Pursuit for Ideal Bukayo Saka Replacement Amid Santi Cazorla Transfer Claim