Christopher Nkunku. (Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is “guaranteed” to leave the club this summer, and will soon begin transfer discussions according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Romano posted on X, saying Nkunku has already attracted interest from as early as January and that fresh contacts are scheduled soon. The France international joined Chelsea in 2023 and has endured a difficult time with the Blues so far.
Injuries hampered much of his first season at the club, limiting him to just 11 Premier League appearances. 9 of those came from the substitute’s bench, but the player still managed to score 3 goals in that time.
This tally had Chelsea fans excited for his future. Fast forward one year and the player has reproduced that goal tally this season – only this time he’s managed 27 Premier League appearances. Only 9 of those 27 appearances were from the start.
Not the return or the playing time the player would have wanted, and the change in fortune could see him now on the market.
Nkunku on the move this summer
The former RB Leipzig man joined the Premier League on the back of scintillating displays in Germany.
Playing mainly as a second striker or attacking midfielder, Nkunku set the Bundesliga afire with Leipzig, scoring 16 goals in 25 appearances during his final season with the club in 2022-2023. The season before that he bagged 20 goals and provided 13 assists, form that saw him attract interest from most big name clubs across Europe.
It would be Chelsea to win the race for his signature two years later in a £52 million deal, with the then 25 year old expected to lead the line for the Blues for years to come.
Things haven’t gone quite to plan though and the player finds himself low on the pecking order under manager Enzo Maresca. Maresca has preferred Nicolas Jackson to lead the line and Nkunku has cut a frustrated figure.
He finds himself in the shop window amidst links to several top European clubs. The 27 year old remains a talent despite his recent form and injury struggles, and Chelsea will look to recoup as much of the £52 million as possible.
Surprise links to Liverpool and Arsenal have surfaced, while Italian club Juventus have also contacted Chelsea over the signing. Newcastle and Bayern Munich are two more clubs tracking the player’s situation, as reported by French outlet Foot Mercato earlier this month.
The player could find himself with no shortage of suitors this summer.
About the Author
