Premier League side Fulham have been informed of the financial commitment required to secure Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze on a permanent deal from Italian giants AC Milan.
Chukwueze's Impactful Loan Spell at Craven Cottage
Samuel Chukwueze joined Fulham on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, a move that included an option for the London club to make the transfer permanent. After a slow start adapting to his new surroundings, the Super Eagles star has recently found his best form.
His contributions have been significant, particularly in Fulham's last four matches where he has registered two goals and two assists. A standout performance came against Manchester City, where he came off the bench with his team trailing 5-1. Chukwueze scored twice and provided an assist, nearly orchestrating a remarkable comeback.
Manager's Praise and AFCON Absence
Fulham manager Marco Silva has publicly praised the winger's growing influence. "Very happy with him, it was a matter of time," Silva told SuperSport. "We need him at his best level, performance-wise and physically. He had a very good impact in the game."
The Portuguese coach did, however, express a minor regret, stating he "would have preferred to have had Chukwueze earlier, in pre-season," hinting that an earlier integration could have accelerated his impact.
Silva will soon have to cope without Chukwueze, as the player is set to join the Nigerian national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. If Nigeria replicates its 2023 run to the final, Fulham could be without Chukwueze and his compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey for over a month.
The Permanent Transfer Fee Revealed
According to reports from Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, AC Milan have set their asking price for Samuel Chukwueze at £24.5 million. This is the figure Fulham would need to pay to trigger the permanent option included in the initial loan agreement.
The 25-year-old's recent performances have reportedly impressed the Fulham hierarchy, who are now considering whether to sanction the deal to keep him at Craven Cottage beyond the current season. The reported fee is one that Fulham could be tempted to pay outright or potentially negotiate down.
Chukwueze, a former Villarreal star, is said to be open to continuing his career in the English Premier League. He previously explained that struggles to settle in Italy, partly due to a late arrival at Milan, hindered the progress he was making during his successful spell in Spain.
