Arsenal and Chelsea may have to move quickly this summer if they wish to bring in RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku.
He's been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with the likes of the Gunners, the Blues and Manchester United said to be interested in attaining his services. As per The Sun, Mikel Arteta views the Frenchman as an ideal signing for his upcoming squad rebuild, whilst football.london understands Chelsea have watched Nkunku's progress over the past couple of seasons and again recently and there is a long-term interest there.
Nevertheless, time is running out for the three clubs, as Leipzig want to agree a new deal with Nkunku imminently. Bild, via The Express, claim the Bundesliga outfit are fighting to keep the Frenchman at the club with a 'secret meeting' taking place with the forward's agent, Pini Zahavi.
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The 24-year-old does have a £50million release clause in his current contract, but that doesn't kick in until 2023. Any new deal would likely come with a new exit clause with Leipzig keen to extend his current contract, which expires in 2024.
To make matters even more difficult, Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has already stated that he'll be staying in Germany next season. Mintzlaff told Sky Sports: "I have said it before, and I will say it again here: Nkunku will be our player again next season. Our goal is to keep the team together for next season."
Nkunku - who is valued between €50-70million (£42-59million) by CIES - has a more than a respectable return of 18 goals in the Bundesliga this season as Leipzig sit fifth in the table, one point SC Freiburg in fourth.
