Christopher Nkunku close to joining Chelsea in summer move

Christopher Nkunku, one of the brightest talents in European soccer, appears to be on his way to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea. The current RB Leipzig forward would join the English side in the summer of 2023.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea is dropping around $60 million for the French player. However, this is not a necessarily ‘new’ transfer. In September, Bild reported Nkunku already completed a medical with Chelsea. While some outlets denied his medical, it now seems Nkunku was, in fact, preparing for a Chelsea move.

Despite the nearing January transfer window, this is not going to happen after the World Cup. Instead, Nkunku will finish out the season with RB Leipzig before making the switch over to the Premier League. Right now, Leipzig are third in the Bundesliga and are bound for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. The German club faces Manchester City in the round of 16 in the latter.

Nkunku is pivotal to the success of RB Leipzig over the last several years since moving over from PSG in the summer of 2019. This season, Nkunku put up 12 goals and two assists through Die Roten Bullen’s 15 Bundesliga games. In European play, Nkunku scored three times, including once against Real Madrid.

Last season, he had 55 goal contributions in 52 total appearances with RB Leipzig as the club reached the Europa League semifinal and won the DFB-Pokal.

Christopher Nkunku on verge of Chelsea deal

With such great outputs, it is no surprise that Nkunku was a hot commodity among top European clubs. In the end, it appears Chelsea is the final landing spot for the forward.

Graham Potter is attempting to find his footing at Stamford Bridge, and Todd Boehly is ready to spend some money as the owner of Chelsea. Nkunku, who is 24 years old, can play anywhere across the front line. Twelve of his appearances come as a playmaker role in the attacking midfield or as a second striker. However, he also has starts as a solo striker, right wing and left wing.

Chelsea’s 17 goals this season in Premier League play is the worst tally among sides in the top half of the table. For the Blues’ sake, Nkunku can solve some of those issues.

Nkunku missed out on the World Cup with France after picking up an injury in training.

PHOTO: IMAGO / opokupix