Chelsea Move Closer to Completing Christopher Nkunku’s Transfer From RB Leipzig

Chelsea Move Closer to Completing Christopher Nkunku’s Transfer From RB Leipzig

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Chelsea are reportedly close to completing the signing of Christopher Nkunku
  • The French star reportedly had a secret medical with the club in September
  • The Blues are keen to add the RB Leipzig forward to their struggling goal attack
  • Despite Nkunku's injury, Chelsea are said to be pushing ahead with the transfer

Chelsea have moved one step closer to completing the signing of French attacker Christopher Nkunku from German club RB Leipzig.

Nkunku, who is one of the hottest forwards in Europe of the last 18 months, is now set to make a switch away from Germany next summer and move to the Premier League with Chelsea.

Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig, Chelsea, France
Chelsea are close to complete the signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. Photo by Markus Gilliar.
Source: Getty Images

The 25-year-old, who will be joining the club next summer, will be Graham Potter's first signing since joining Chelsea to replace Thomas Tuchel.

Nkunku, who withdrew from France's World Cup squad due to a knee injury suffered in training, is expected to be ruled out of action until the new year.

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Despite this concern, the Blues hope to add the French attacker to bolster their attack up-front.

Ziyech and Pulisic to leave?

Nkunku will not be the only signing to be joining Chelsea next summer, after the club made four new appointments to their recruitment team to help make data-driven signings for Todd Boehly.

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is another forward high on the Blues' priority list, and with his contract talks with the Italian club stalled, Chelsea could take advantage and sign the Portuguese star.

The English club would also be willing to let Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech and American winger Christian Pulisic leave - if they receive the right offers. The two have been underwhelming since joining the club.

Will Nkunku risk pay off?

Sports Brief earlier reported that Chelsea will take the Nkunku risk and continue their pursuit of the French attacker, despite his knee injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.

The Blues have two of their players out specifically due to a knee injury: namely summer signing Wesley Fofana and right-back powerhouse Reece James.

With Nkunku set to join in the summer of 2023, there is still time for him to recover from his injury, and regain full fitness and form before making the switch to England.

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Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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