Chelsea are closing in on their first signing under Graham Potter as a deal for Christophe Nkunku is edging ever closer ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman, who has been in fine form over the past 18 months, was forced to pull out of the France World Cup squad after picking up a knee injury during a training session following a tackle by compatriot Eduardo Camavinga, and he is expected to be sidelined until February.
However, his move to Chelsea is still progressing well after the shock news emerged in September that he had already done a medical last summer ahead of a proposed move to Stamford Bridge, as Todd Boehly looked to leave a mark on his newly-owned club.
And, as per Fabrizio Romano, the club are moving closer to an agreement that will exceed the 60m euro release clause that is written into the 25-year-old’s contract, with a long-term deal having been agreed in principle, though nothing has yet been signed officially.
The agreement will mark the first signing of Graham Potter’s Chelsea regime, with the Brighton boss coming in with the deal already at an advanced stage and having reportedly given his blessing to sign the forward.
Having seen their previous three strikers cost a combined £200m and flatter to deceive, and currently relying on 33 year-old Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and the experienced Armando Broja to lead the line, the Blues will be hoping that it is second-time lucky adding a forward from RB Leipzig.
Building a team around the Frenchman, however, will be the vital next step for Potter and his coaches.
