Carney Chukwuemeka left out of Aston Villa pre-season tour

Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka has been left out of the club's pre-season tour squad amid uncertainty surrounding his future.

The 18-year-old was a standout performer in England's triumphant Under-19 European Championship campaign this summer, netting a brace in the final as the Young Lions defeated Israel.

However, despite his rise to prominence in recent weeks, Villa have been unable to tie Chukwuemeka down to a new contract amid concerns over game time, with his current deal due to expire in 12 months' time.

90min understands his hesitance to put pen to paper has alerted some of Europe's biggest clubs. While Man Utd and Man City were already keeping tabs on the situation, Arsenal and Newcastle are also prepared to join the pursuit of Chukwuemeka's signature should he become available.

European big hitters Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his situation.

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To add fuel to the fire, the teenager has been left out of the Villa pre-season tour squad that has made the trip to Australia, where they will face Man Utd in Melbourne.

Asked about who had been left out of the squad by Aston Villa's official website, head coach Steven Gerrard said: "The other one is Carney [Chukwuemeka]. Carney’s yet to sign a contract offer that’s been in place for some time now, so I’ve decided that the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor.”