Nigerian starlet Samuel Chukwueze was all set to join Arsenal in 2016, but the deal unexpectedly collapsed.

• Chukwueze was meant to join along with team-mate Kelechi Nwakali
• A disagreement with Diamond Academy saw the deal collapse
• Chukwueze is close to joining Villareal

Back in 2016, Arsenal were close to complete the double signing of two exciting Nigerian prospects: Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze.

The two impressed at the 2015 U17 World Cup and while Nwakali did join Arsenal, Chukwueze’s move collapsed.

According to SCORENigeria, this was due to a disagreement with Chukwueze’s academy, Diamond Academy.

Initially, Arsenal were going to pay £1.5m for the winger, with 10% of the fee up front and the rest paid after the player had turned 18 and signed professional terms with the club.

However, Diamond Academy wanted 40% of that figure.

Arsenal opted not to renegotiate as the Stellar Group, a London-based agent group that Arsenal had used to negotiate the deal, had already been burned once by the Diamond Academy during the Nwakali deal.

The Diamond Academy were supposed to pay the Stellar Group 15.6% of Nwakai’s transfer fee, but have yet to honour the agreement.

SCORENigieria believe this is the reason why Chukwueze’s move to Arsenal fell through.

The winger is now expected to join Villareal for £500,000.