France star Christopher Nkunku may have been unable to represent his country this winter at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but the RB Leipzig talisman could be set for a new and exciting challenge in England come next summer.
Reports from CBSSports’ Ben Jacobs detail that Chelsea and Leipzig have agreed to “board” terms on a summer move for the former Paris Saint-Germain academy product in what would be a deal worth roughly €70m (£60m).
Christopher Nkunku update. Although Leipzig call a move to Chelsea a “transfer rumour”, am told there is now a broad club-to-club agreement in place for summer 2023 worth around €70m. pic.twitter.com/3h9ase5zxO
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 21, 2022
According to Jacobs via his personal Twitter account, “Nkunku’s injury won’t affect much. A January move was never Nkunku’s preference and Leipzig never seriously entertained letting him leave mid-season. Until everything signed, other clubs can hijack, but Chelsea confident for months and Leipzig agreement is next step to completion.”
It was first thought that the 25-year-old forward could have his move away from Saxony placed in some degree of jeopardy after his collision with Real Madrid starlet Eduardo Camavinga just days before the World Cup kicked off in Qatar, but as of Saturday, Nkunku is expected to only be out for 8-10 weeks and will be ready for the resumption of the Bundesliga when the Rückrunde begins on 20 January when RBL host table-topping Bayern Munich at Red Bull Arena.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter was initially hoping to push for a January move for Nkunku as the Blues remain in desperate need of quality in the forward line after the Stamford Bridge outfit struggles for consistent goal output from currently available options, but with Nkunku not keen on a mid-season change, Chelsea will have to settle on a summer move which could open certain interesting avenues in January.
