Chelsea and Arsenal have been warned that Christopher Nkunku will not be allowed to leave RB Leipzig this summer as the winger continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League. The London rivals are both looking to bolster their attack this summer and Nkunku has been targeted - with Manchester United also linked.
Both Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta are on course to qualify for next season's Champions League with a place in Europe's elite competition a key bargaining tool in the transfer window. Nkunku has predominantly played as an attacking midfielder this season but has been used across the front line.
The 24-year-old has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season and provided a further 20 assists, so the clamour for his signature this summer is understandable. But Nkunku himself has remained coy on what his future holds, insisting he is happy where in Leipzig with over two years remaining on his current deal.
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He told Bild in October (via Sport Witness): "If I was thinking of other clubs, we might as well forget our season goals. Big goals of our own are only realistic if we achieve something with Leipzig. Otherwise, these questions do not arise.
"I still have a contract until 2024 and I feel very comfortable at RB Leipzig."
Leipzig had their Europa League dreams ended on Thursday night as Rangers completed a comeback to set-up a final with Eintracht Frankfurt. It leaves them with just one remaining opportunity for silverware this season with a DFP Pokal final with Freiburg on the horizon.
But regardless of what happens in the remainder of the current campaign, Leipzig are adamant that their star man is going nowhere this summer. Director Oliver Mintzlaff spoke out on Nkunku's situation via Fabrizio Romano this week, saying: "We have clearly discussed it internally: we won't let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent."
Romano also revealed that the club are attempting to extend his contract but talks remain in the early stages for the time being. It is a situation that both Arsenal and Chelsea will be keeping an eye on.
