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SOCCER

Chelsea ready to close in on RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku

The 24-year-old scored 35 goals last term and has hit the ground running this season with six in 11 games.

Update:
Christopher NKUNKU of France before the UEFA Nations League, Group A1 match between Denmark and France on September 25, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Johnny FidelinGetty

Chelsea are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku next summer.

The forward is believed to have undergone medical tests for Chelsea this year, with an eye on a transfer in 2023.

The France international is thought to have a €60 million release clause at Leipzig, and Chelsea’s new owners have already made progress regarding the transfer.

At 24, he is ready to make the jump to the Premier League. The Frenchman emerged as one of PSG’s most promising academy players, but given the quality of the club’s attack, he never got the minutes he needed to continue to develop.

At RB Leipzig, he has become one of the most exciting attacking players in Europe. In his first season, he scored five goals and provided 15 assists and there has been a steady increase in output since.

His goal tally reached seven in 2020-21, but his numbers really took off last season, scoring 35 goals and registering 20 assists in 52 games.

Nkunku has already hit the ground running this season with six in 11 games.

Christopher Nkunku of France during the UEFA Nations League, Group A1 match between Denmark and France on September 25, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Christopher Nkunku of France during the UEFA Nations League, Group A1 match between Denmark and France on September 25, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Johnny FidelinGetty

Liverpool interest

Liverpool are also interested in signing Nkunku although Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign the attacker.

Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are continuing to build both on and off the field at Stamford Bridge.

New Chelsea sporting director

The Premier League side are continuing to push to add to their off-field set-up, and are set to line up both a sporting director and a technical director.

Head coach Graham Potter has brought in recruitment specialist Kyle Macaulay, who will work closely with Chelsea’s eventual new directors.