After a reasonably successful loan spell with Fulham, Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze will return to AC Milan after the Premier League club decided against making his stay in England permanent. Meanwhile, according to Footy-Africa sources, he could be already starting to pack his bags for Spain.
“Based on my understanding, Milan are trying to rebuild their team, and they consider Samu part of that rebuild because some senior players could leave this summer,” the source exclusively .
“Milan rate him highly, to be honest with you, but they also need money and Fulham could not meet their valuation. I think his return from England has something to do with finances and how Fulham viewed the deal.”
From Uche to Boniface: decision time for Nigerian players on loan across Europe
The source also revealed that clubs in Spain have made inquiries about the former Villarreal winger, where he enjoyed some of the best years of his career.
“There is interest from Spain because he did very well in La Liga, but Milan will not sell him for just any price. They have a valuation in mind, and any club interested will have to meet it.”
Despite the transfer speculation, Chukwueze remains relaxed about his future and is currently spending time in Nigeria.
“The transfer window is still open for a long time, and the player is enjoying his holiday. He recently visited Uyo to encourage young footballers and reconnect with the community where his football journey began.”
“He could still leave Milan, but the club values him and would like to keep him. They will only consider selling if an offer arrives that matches what they believe he is worth.”
Fulham consider €25m permanent deal for Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan
The 27-year-old winger, who is currently enjoying his off-season break in Nigeria, made 25 appearances for Fulham, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
While his contributions helped the London club during the campaign, they were not enough to convince the Fulham hierarchy to pursue a permanent transfer.
Chukwueze joined AC Milan from Spanish side Villarreal in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth around €20 million, with a further €8 million in performance-related add-ons.
However, the Super Eagles star has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at the San Siro.
With Fulham opting not to trigger a permanent deal, Chukwueze is expected to report back to Milan for pre-season preparations. However, his future remains uncertain amid growing interest from clubs across Europe.
Reports in Italy suggest that Portuguese winger Rafael Leão could leave the Rossoneri this summer, a development that could open the door for Chukwueze to play a more prominent role under Milan’s new-look project.
Chukwueze remains under contract with AC Milan until 2028, and with significant changes expected within the squad this summer, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether his future lies in Italy or elsewhere.
