Diamond Football Academy President, Martin Apugo, has confirmed that the proposed deal taking Nigerian talent Samuel Chukwueze to Arsenal was on the brink of collapse until it was recently revived.

According to the Umuahia-based nursery team, Chukwueze’s insistence on joining the Gunners eventually paid off as they were in advanced talks with an unnamed team for the striker.

“Chukwueze is still joining Arsenal, he will travel any moment from now to start training with them” Diamond Academy supremo,Apugo, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“I didn’t want him to go to Arsenal, wanted him to go somewhere else but he said he’ll be happy if he goes to Arsenal.”

The Bronze Shoe winner at the 2015 Fifa Under 17 World Cup has not been called up by Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke for the Nigeria U20s get-together but hopes to begin training with the squad as from next week.

Martin Apugo added : “His name was not on the initial list but we are in touch with the coaches and hope this will be sorted out next week.”

Though a pre-contract agreement is in the offing, Arsenal will only offer a professional deal to Chukwueze next summer when he clocks 18.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fifa.com