Chukwueze's Transfer To Milan To Hit Snag Over EU Passport Issues

Chukwueze's Transfer To Milan To Hit Snag Over EU Passport Issues

Ibraheem Lateef

Samuel Chukwueze's move to Serie A giants AC Milan could hit the rocks over issues bothering the passport status of the Nigerian, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The Rossoneri are interested in picking up the 24-year-old Super Eagles winger who won the award as the best African player in the Spanish LaLiga last season, this summer and have reportedly prepared an offer worth around €25m including add-ons.

This, however, is still a significant distance from Villarreal’s €35m asking price, meaning further talks are needed to try and close out an agreement.

Chukwueze scored six times and provided a further five assists in La Liga last season. He also scored seven more goals in Cup and European competitions.

Another aspect of the Chukwueze deal that could be cause for concern for Milan is his passport status; the 24-year-old doesn’t hold an EU passport, so would take up the last remaining non-EU slot in the squad, with the other slot being taken by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

As Chukwueze's transfer continues to delay owing to a fee, Daichi Kamada, who would also take up a non-EU slot, has already agreed to the terms of a deal with Milan but still hasn’t put pen to paper on a contract yet.

Meanwhile, Villarreal president Fernando Roig has told AS via Di Marzio about Milan’s interest in Chukwueze.

“I don’t know if Milan is interested in the player. But if the interest is the same as when they came for Mateo Musacchio… On that occasion Galliani came and said ‘I want the player, but I have no money’, then we ate fideuà (a local dish, ed.) and went home.

“We are making the movements that the market allows us. The premise is to have a better team than last year. I am happy with the situation.”