Chelsea are keen to bring Christopher Nkunku to Stamford Bridge in January if they can convince RB Leipzig to let him go early - but are facing a battle with Atletico Madrid to sign Leandro Trossard.
The Blues have agreed a deal in principle to sign the 24-year-old Nkunku. And Leipzig would rather wait until the end of the season to sell him so they have time to find the right replacement.
However, Chelsea are understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing him in sooner than that to boost the numbers at Graham Potter’s disposal. And the hope is that he will arrive before the end of January to give the club further options as they handle their players’ fitness on the back of the World Cup and the busy festive period.
Nkunku will cost around £52million. The eight-cap France international joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and, after impressing in the Bundesliga, he will join Chelsea on a five-year contract. The hope is that they can get a deal wrapped up for Nkunku even before the World Cup begins.
Meanwhile, Atletico have joined the hunt for Brighton ’s Trossard. The 27-year-old is out of contract in the summer and the Spaniards are among a number of clubs looking into taking him on a free transfer.
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Trossard has already spoken of his interest in following former boss Potter to Stamford Bridge, with the Blues having been linked with a move for the attacking midfielder. “If the opportunity arises, I want to go,” he said. “But I want to play and not sit on the bench.”
However, Atletico are ready to rival any interest from Chelsea, with the La Liga giants actively scouring the market for free agents given their financial situation. Belgian Trossard has impressed on the south coast since arriving from Genk in his homeland in 2019.
Brighton are keen to tie him down to a new deal but the player knows a good World Cup would put him in the shop window. And he will be available to agree a pre-contract with a foreign club from January if no deal has been struck with the Seagulls.
