Transfer News: Chelsea face battle from Manchester City and Real Madrid for Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig
According to Foot Mercato (h/t Daily Star), the agent of Christopher Nkunku has claimed that Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are in talks over signing the French midfielder in the future.
The 23-year-old midfielder has had an impressive start to the season domestically and in Europe. He notably scored a hat-trick for RB Leipzig in their 6-3 UEFA Champions League group stage loss last month.
And the report claims that Chelsea are willing to make Nkunku their top transfer target next summer. His contract with the Bundesliga club expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Thomas Tuchel isn’t alien to Nkunku’s abilities. The pair worked together during their time at Paris Saint-Germain and the German boss could be reunited with the midfielder at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku to Stamford Bridge?
But the battle to sign him would not be easy considering the interest in the player from the defending Premier League champions and Los Blancos. Chelsea fans would be excited with this piece of news considering the midfield situation at the club right now.
Thomas Tuchel has shown his willingness this season to play three central midfielders together. And while Saul Niguez was brought in on a loan transfer, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho aren’t getting any younger.
Nkunku’s signing, if it does happen, would future-proof that area to a great extent. Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour are out on loan but Nkunku is ahead of them in the development curve considering his starting role for a club like Leipzig in the Bundesliga and in Europe.
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The dynamic midfielder can offer Chelsea depth and quality in the initial stages and can then go on to become a long-term successor for any one of their current midfielders if they were to leave in the near future. But with his contract still having three years to run, it remains to be seen if the Blues can agree on suitable terms for the Frenchman if they do intend to sign him next summer.