Chelsea have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku.
The Frenchman is currently enjoying the best season of his career thus far. Nkunku has 14 goals to his name this season alone and a G/A of 35 from 37 appearances, across all competitions. Therefore, it is understandable why he has been linked with a move away from Germany.
As per Express, Chelsea will be battling with Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature. The Frenchman’s eye for goal has made him a top target for several English clubs.
Real Madrid are in the process of rebuilding their squad and Los Blancos want Nkunku to be a part of their project.
It is not going to be easy for any of these aforementioned clubs though. RB Leipzig have slapped a £62 million price tag on Christopher Nkunku, the source understands. Leipzig will not let the player leave if his market price is not met.
All these clubs have also been linked with Erling Haaland and could be saving up for him. It has to be also mentioned that Nkunku’s contract at the Red Bull arena runs until 2024. This means that Leipzig have the upper hand in the negotiations.
Chelsea’s midfield currently consists of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mason Mount, and Kai Havertz. With the form and future of Romelu Lukaku looking uncertain, the Blues are looking at Nkunku to provide them with goals.
Christopher Nkunku: Should Chelsea sign him?
Chelsea need a proven goal-scorer currently due to the wretched form of their strikers and not due to lack of options up front.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, and Andreas Christensen are all looking set to leave the club on a Bosman and thus defensive reinforcements are also needed. The former Premier League champions have also been linked with Jules Kounde and could look to sign him next summer for which a considerable portion of the transfer kitty will be used.
Chelsea have one of the best midfield lineups in Europe and Nkunku should not really be a priority for them at the moment. The fact remains that £62 million is too big a gamble for Christopher Nkunku for a club which boasts of the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. All players who are capable of delivering goals from advanced midfield positions.
Yes, the situation with Romelu Lukaku is dicey with Erling Haaland being touted as a target. But that is the case for almost all the top clubs in Europe and the Blues are unlikely to put all their eggs in that basket.
With the Blues owner Roman Abramovic putting the club up for sale, their warchest for next summer remains unclear. If given the chance to sign Nkunku for less, Chelsea should go for him if they view him as an option to lead the line instead of one of the attacking roles behind the striker.
Moreover, Tuchel has already managed Christopher Nkunku at PSG in the past but the decision rests with the player because he left the Parisians in search of minutes and it will not be easy to get guaranteed minutes in a star studded Chelsea squad if there are no major outgoings in the summer.
