Nkunku to Chelsea: Conflicting reports over transfer deal
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 3 Oct 2022 10:48 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are interested in the signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, amid reports of the Frenchman completing a secret medical with the Blues earlier in the year.
The Frenchman has had a fine few years in Germany and was named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season in the last campaign, with many rumours linking with a transfer in the summer.
That move didn’t happen, however, as he signed a new deal at Leipzig until the summer of 2026 with a release clause, prompting speculation of a possible transfer in the future.
Now, Chelsea are still interested in him with Todd Boehly keen to bring him over to Stamford Bridge, and a transfer in the near future could well be on the cards.
But what is the latest with regards the move?
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Conflicting reports
According to The Athletic, a pre-contract agreement has already been concluded between Chelsea and the player. Indeed, it is said that to do this, the Blues have paid a price in excess of his €60 million release clause, which does not come into effect until the season is over.
By spending above this figure on a player who already has eight goals in 12 games for the season, Chelsea are paying to fast-track themselves to the front of the queue.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has a slightly different take on the deal. He states that Nkunku is happy with Chelsea's contract offer but crucially that no fee has been agreed between the clubs.
Indeed, he reports that Chelsea are actually trying to negotiate for a fee below Nkunku's €60m release clause. Given the level of interest in the player, though, this will be no easy task.
Chelsea have been coy about their interest in Nkunku, with manager Graham Potter recently saying: "My answer to that type of stuff, unless it's a player for us I don't really speak about other players. So, no comment."
Leipzig are already planning for the future and life without Nkunku having signed highly-rated youngster Benjamin Sesko from Red Bull Salzburg for next season to bolster their attacking line.
This season, Nkunku has started off well having contributed eight goals across all competitions, having been involved in 55 in all of last season.
