-
DONE DEALS
- 39 minutes ago
CONFIRMED: Chelsea open talks with €60m Nkunku replacement
Robin Bairner
- 28 Jun 2025 15:15 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea are actively seeking to replace Christopher Nkunku in Enzo Maresca’s squad, with the West London club opening talks with Brighton attacker Joao Pedro.
The Athletic reports that the Blues have entered direct competition for the Brazilian, who fell out of favour with the Seagulls after a training ground altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke at the end of the season.
Current ETV
Christopher Nkunku
AM, F (C), M (L)
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku
AM, F (C), M (L)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€46.5M - €56.8M
Newcastle United have been pushing to sign the 23-year-old but have yet to make a bid, despite previous reports that they had seen an offer worth €58.5 million rejected. Now Chelsea have entered the race.
Joao Pedro was signed for €34m from Watford, but after scoring 30 times in 70 appearances for Brighton, his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has risen to €61m. With the Fabian Hurzeler’s side under no pressure to sell given the versatile attacker is under contract until 2028, there is every chance they will hold out for an even higher figure.
Fabrizio Romano previously suggested that Chelsea could be about to become active in the case of Joao Pedro.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Newcastle are pushing for Joao Pedro, that’s true. But let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea. Joao Pedro remains a player of interest at Chelsea. So Newcastle are still actively working on the deal but Chelsea are still having conversations.
“Joao Pedro is one of the players on their shortlist and they still like the player. While Newcastle are trying to anticipate other clubs and get the green light from Brighton, at the moment there’s no club-to-club agreement.”
Who will make way?
Chelsea, meanwhile, view Joao Pedro as a direct replacement for Nkunku, according to BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.
France international Nkunku was signed in a blockbuster €60m deal from RB Leipzig in 2023 but after spending much of his first season out injured, he struggled to make an impact last term. Strong performances in the Conference League were insufficient to see him gain regular Premier League minutes and it now appears he is on his way out.
Manchester United have been tipped to make a move for Nkunku but this depends on a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo collapsing.
Football transfer news headlines today
Alexander Isak: Transfer verdict on Newcastle star lands as club in ‘strong position’ revealed
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal add Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to striker shortlist
EXCLUSIVE: Bournemouth open talks for Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
