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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tom Canton

Arsenal can force Christopher Nkunku Chelsea snub as Mikel Arteta looks to knock Blues out race

Christopher Nkunku has become one of the most highly sought-after players on the continent for Europe’s top clubs. However, one English side looks to have taken a serious step toward signing the player.

Chelsea have reportedly conducted a ‘secret medical’ for the Frenchman ahead of a possible £56 million move, the figure believed to be his RB Leipzig release clause. Arsenal are amongst the sides that have also been linked with the player, even coming close to signing him from PSG under Unai Emery.

However, this will be a blow to see such a quality player move to another team. However, the door is not yet completely closed with Chelsea having to secure the move.

READ MORE: Todd Boehly lines up £52.8m Chelsea summer transfer with 'secret' Christopher Nkunku medical

Any deal would need to wait until the release clause activates in the summer and therefore time remains for Nkunku to be convinced by other projects. One of the requirements for the Leipzig attacker is Champions League football, according to Sport Bild.

Arsenal sit top of the table, although finishing in the top four remains the far more realistic objective for this season. Chelsea meanwhile have struggled this campaign, sacking head coach Thomas Tuchel and appointing Brighton’s Graham Potter.

The Blues are seventh in the table eight points off Arsenal although have a game in hand after their fixture with Liverpool was postponed. A game that could still cost Potter’s new side points when it is replayed.

Arsenal will play Chelsea on November 6 after a hectic October which sees the Gunners play nine games in one month. The Blues form part of a four-game period stretching across just ten days before the World Cup of which Nkunku should be in attendance.

By the winter, Arsenal will hope to have continued and even extended their advantage over Chelsea and hope that they remain adrift of the Champions League qualification spots. Ousting them from the European elite competition could give some leverage in a potential bout for Nkunku’s signature.

Although Mikel Arteta and Edu will surely need to work swiftly to make the former PSG starlet known of their interest with Todd Boehly and Chelsea having got a head start. That said, a forward is not the priority at present with midfield firmly in the crosshairs of the Gunners’ recruitment team.

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