Aston Villa have approach for 19-year-old Caleb Chukwuemeka rejected

Aston Villa have had an approach for Northampton teenager Caleb Chukwuemeka rebuffed.

Villa are interested in bringing the 19 year-old forward to the club, a move that would see him join his younger brother - England under-18 prospect Carney - on the Midlands club’s books.

Chukwuemeka senior made 28 appearances for the Cobblers last season but is yet to sign a professional deal. His current youth contract runs out at the end of January.

Despite the prospect of losing him for a minimal compensation sum, Northampton have so far resisted Villa’s attempts to land Chukwuemeka.

Though the League Two side are facing further tests of their resolve with interest mounting. Rangers and Norwich have assessed Chukwuemeka previously.

This week he also caught the eye of scouts from Newcastle and Tottenham during his cameo in Northampton’s 2-1 friendly defeat against West Ham.

Newcastle could have an advantage should they firm up their interest as Graham Carr their former chief scout is now an associate director at Northampton.