RB Leipzig star Andre Silva has revealed that Christopher Nkunku has not been affected in the slightest by speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea.
It was revealed last month that Nkunku had participated in secret medical checks with the Blues over the course of the summer ahead of a potential switch, and it has since been reported that Chelsea are willing to shell out a sum that exceeds the €60million (£52m) release clause in Nkunku's contract that becomes active next year in order to acquire the Frenchman's services.
Blues boss Graham Potter has been reluctant to discuss links to Nkunku, while Leipzig chief Marco Rose insisted earlier this month that talk of an agreement for the 24-year-old was merely "speculation".
Nkunku is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe after plundering 35 goals in all competitions last term for Leipzig, who cruised to a 2-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
And before the match, Silva made it clear that Nkunku had not delved into the rumours surrounding his future - nor had he been distracted by it.
"Chris is not a team-mate who talks so much," Silva said. "I think he puts all the work on the pitch during games or in training and he is able to do things that come naturally and make it look easy. Chris is doing good and we hope he continues doing that."
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Nkunku has carried his sizzling form from last season into the new Bundesliga campaign, where he has notched seven goals in just nine games.
The versatile forward has attracted the attention of a host of European heavyweights since he was discarded by Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019, but Chelsea have stolen a march on their rivals by making an early move.
Although the Blues' fortunes have improved under Potter, they lacked a cutting edge under Thomas Tuchel last year and have invested significantly in a bid to evolve their attacking options.
Raheem Sterling has netted four times and currently tops Chelsea's scoring charts following his £50m switch from Manchester City, but deadline day arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not far behind the England star.
There were more than a few eyebrows raised when the Blues pursued Aubameyang in the wake of his acrimonious exit from Arsenal, but the 33-year-old has chalked up three goals and an assist in just five games since returning to the capital.
And the former Barcelona man was lauded by Potter after netting in the Blues' 2-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday night. He said on Aubameyang: "Everyone knows his quality and it’s great for him. He looks like he is enjoying his football and scoring goals is important."
