Chukwueze and fellow Nigeria Under-17 starlet Kelechi Nwakali were pictured with boss Arsene Wenger and former Gunners star Nwankwo Kanu ahead of the pair finalising long-term deals with the club.
But it appears a deal has now fallen through for Chukwueze and that the youngster will instead commit his future to Porto.
Chukwueze’s Nigerian club Diamond Academy haggled with the Gunners over a fee for him as Wenger and the club grew frustrated at a lack of movement over a deal which would have seen the youngster bank £7,000 a month.
But days ago the deal appeared to have collapsed over Diamond Academy’s desire the net more cash for him with the player now reportedly having grown tired of the deal dragging on.
He had the choice of two of Europe’s finest finishing schools and turned down a move to French club Monaco in favour of a move to Portugal.
President of Diamond Academy Martin Apugo said: “Chukwueze is going to FC Porto not Monaco.
“They are waiting for him to sign the papers but he couldn’t travel because he is with the Flying Eagles.
“We don’t know the length of contract he will sign until we get to Portugal.”
His comments were in stark contrast to those he made two months ago when a deal appeared to be still on the cards.
Apugo had said “Chukwueze is still joining Arsenal, he will travel any moment from now to start training with them.
“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 good news for Gunners fans is that the club did manage to land Nwkalali on a five-year deal.
And he may turn out to be a prized asset after being voted the Most Valuable Player at the Under-17 World Cup in Chile.
He skippered his Super Eagles team-mates to glory in the tournament and was the subject to interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
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