AC Milan closing in on Samuel Chukwueze deal

Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze is edging closer to completing his long-rumoured switch to Serie A powerhouse AC Milan.

According to Calciomercato, the Italians have made a breakthrough in negotiations with the Yellow Submarine over the Nigerian’s transfer to San Siro after a ‘positive contact’ on Thursday.

Down to the final year of his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica, the 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer departure amid interest from several clubs outside La Liga.

Several Premier League clubs including Newcastle United, have also emerged as potential landing spots for the lightning-quick forward.

Milan lodged their first bid to prise the homegrown Villarreal star away from the province of Castellon a fortnight ago but failed to come near the Spaniards’ request.

Although Chukwueze has less than 12 months left to run on his current deal, Villarreal have stubbornly stuck to their outrageous €35 million valuation until now.

The Rossoneri’s restless effort to add the left-footed winger to their ever-growing list of summer signings has come to fruition, with Villarreal finally budging on their asking price.

After lowering their demands to €30m plus add-ons, the former Europa League winners have facilitated Chukwueze’s transfer to Milan.

Chukwueze’s potential arrival would exclude the possibility of Mehdi Taremi’s switch from Porto to occupy the final non-EU spot following Christian Pulisic’s acquisition from Chelsea.

Stefano Pioli is desperate to add pace and creativity to his flanks after Charles De Ketelaere and Junior Messias failed to live up to the billing last season.

Both players are on the chopping block this summer.

While the latter has failed to drum up interest, the former has caught the attention of Aston Villa and PSV Eindhoven.

However, with Villa on the cusp of materialising a club-record signing of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, Villa Park has become an increasingly unlikely destination for the ex-Club Brugge talent.