Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea to be charged premium sum if they want 25-goal star amid Man City battle

Christopher Nkunku and Yussuf Poulsen

Chelsea and Manchester City are among the clubs who have learned they will have to spend big if they are to sign Christopher Nkunku, according to reports.

Nkunku has been attracting interest from the Premier League thanks to his performances for RB Leipzig. Recently, he was linked with a reunion with Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United. But rivals Man City and Chelsea are also in contention for the Frenchman.

According to Foot Mercato, the two Premier League clubs – as well as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain – have taken note of Nkunku’s impressive form this season.

The attacking midfielder has scored 25 goals from 37 games for Leipzig so far in 2021-22. That is a higher goal tally than all of his previous campaigns, for Leipzig and PSG, combined.

The 24-year-old has found the role in which he thrives the most. Consequently, his market value has been increasing accordingly.

Per Foot Mercato, Leipzig would now be looking for a fee of at least €75m to consider selling Nkunku, whom they have under contract until 2024. That would give them a profit of more than €60m compared to their €13m investment in 2019.

At the time, they took him from PSG, who are now one of the clubs willing to offer him the next step. Alternatively, Real Madrid could take him to Spain for the first time in his career.

Christopher Nkunku is Manchester United primary target this summer for €75m

Christopher Nkunku is Manchester United primary target this summer for €75m

Manchester United will focus on Christopher Nkunku this summer despite previous reports saying they weren’t interested

But interest from the Premier League is building. A move to Chelsea has been touted due to his prior relationship with Thomas Tuchel from their PSG days.

And City became all too aware of Nkunku’s abilities when he scored a hat-trick against them in the Champions League earlier this season.

Nkunku wants to make international impression

Christopher Nkunku celebrates RB Leipzig goal

Signing him will not come cheap, though, so Nkunku will have to wait to see who is willing to pay for him.

He is also hoping the France national team acknowledge his achievements by rewarding him with a call-up. If it doesn’t come, it may only increase his desire to join a bigger club.

Nkunku was capped by his country at under-16, under-19, under-20 and under-21 age levels. His time with the latter group ended in 2018, meaning his return to the international stage has been a long time coming.

A transfer to the Premier League may have been as well, but only time will tell if it materialises.

READ MOREDefender causing a stir in London as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham scout Korea star