adminLONDON. — Arsenal yesterday confirmed they are set to push through a £3m deal for Nigerian wonder kids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze. Arsenal had beaten off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich for the pair from the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, Nigeria.
Arsenal scouted them during last year’s Under-17s World Cup in Chile when Nwakali (17) was the star of the tournament as he was captain and voted Player of the Tournament.
Chukwueze (16) scored three goals and three assists.
When asked whether he expects it to be done before Monday’s deadline, Wenger said: “Yes. The (talks) are progressing well.
“Yes of course there are work permit issues. There are medical issues, because they have to make medicals. It’s progressing well.
“We identified Nwakali as the player of the tournament, basically, and as a top player. We will see if we can manage to get it over the line during this transfer period. (If we can), we will do it. He (Chukwueze) is signing as well.”
Meanwhile, Wenger insists that Arsenal do not need to buy in order to keep up their challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004.
Wenger did not buy a single outfield player last summer, and has made just one signing in this window, bringing in midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who is yet to make his debut.
But with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky returning to fitness, Wenger believes that there is no need to invest further.
Wenger hinted that out of favour right back Mathieu Debuchy could leave the club during the current window, although a deal is not yet done.
“Debuchy might go somewhere but I don’t know where at the moment, but that decision has to be made very quickly now because it is only 48 hours to go and he has much interest,’ said the Arsenal boss.
“But I have a number of people who can play right back so Ioopen the door for him because at the moment he does not play and he has Bellerin in front of him.” — The Mirror.
Online Reporter