Report: West Ham in hunt to sign Villarreal dribbling star Samuel Chukwueze
West Ham are among a clutch of European clubs who want to sign Villarreal attacker Samuel Chukwueze this summer, according to Fichajes.net.
The online Spanish outlet claims a fee of £43.2million would do the trick but that heavyweights such as Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are also interested in securing his services.
Chukwueze, 21, has a contract at Villarreal until 2023 [Transfermarkt] but Fichajes report that he could be on the move in the upcoming months with offers expected to pour in from the Premier League.
The Nigeria international comes with high pedigree and La Liga expert Guillem Balague dubbed him as “unbelievable”, paying particular respect to his sensational dribbling skills. [BBC]
According to stats by Wyscout, only four players have attempted more dribbles this season than Chukwueze’s 9.47, and one of them is Lionel Messi (9.92).
More pressing concerns
Chukwueze looks to be a star in the making but should he be a priority this summer?
We’re not really in short supply of wingers with Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma in the Irons ranks.
Bowen is the player he is probably most similar to given they are both left-footed speed merchants, though Chukwueze is perhaps more of a dribbler while Bowen causes more danger off-the-ball with his darting runs in behind defences.
We wouldn’t be against a move for the Nigeria international but there are clearly more pressing issues that we need to target.
Signing a striker, left-back and central midfielder are the more crucial elements that need sorting this summer and we would implore GSB to concentrate on signing first-team stars that can fill those voids, rather than spend the dosh on luxury players.
We’d like to see those areas addressed before the likes of Chukwueze are brought in, though if it were to happen it’s a deal that would excite us and likely have lots of bums off seats at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, see which ‘Magnificent’ Irons star we’re tipping to get a start v Chelsea in our predicted XI.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.