Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Chelsea v Morecambe - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - January 11, 2025 Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Bayern Munich have opened talks with Chelsea over the signing of Christopher Nkunku. Nkunku has been tipped for a departure from Stamford Bridge for the better part of a year after falling down the pecking order under manager Enzo Maresca.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Nkunku is keen to join the Bundesliga champions, with the clubs in direct talks. Chelsea are pushing for a permanent sale while Bayern are keen on a loan, but all structures are currently being discussed.
Nkunku’s potential move could be the catalyst for a transfer domino, with Chelsea looking to clear space and raise funds to sign long term target Xavi Simons. Bayern are on the market for a replacement for the departing Kingsley Coman who has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
A deal for Nkunku could accelerate Coman’s outgoing at Bayern as well as Simons’ incoming at Chelsea. The Frenchman was a target for Bayern as far back as January, but a move failed to materialize.
Bayern were also in for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, but have so far struggled to meet Stuttgart’s demands. Nkunku is seen as the more viable alternative.
Bayern keen on Nkunku
Bayern could also face competition from Nkunku’s former club Leipzig, who have been linked with interest in resigning the player. Talks of Nkunku being used as a makeweight in a deal for Xavi Simons have been reported but so far only Bayern have made a formal approach.
Nkunku joined Chelsea from Leipzig for €60m in 2023 after an impressive stint in the Bundesliga. He scored 16 Bundesliga goals in his final season with Leipzig in 2022/23. The season before that was his best ever, scoring 20 league goals and adding 13 assists.
His form has dipped since joining Chelsea, scoring just three Premier League goals in both of his two seasons with the club. He’s had to bide his time behind Nicolas Jackson for much of his Stamford Bridge career, but even when deputizing his form has been blighted by inconsistency and injuries.
Chelsea will be looking to recoup as much of their original transfer outlay as possible.
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