Christopher Nkunku signs new contract as Manchester…

Christopher Nkunku signs new contract as Manchester United ignore Ralf Rangnick recommendation

Christopher Nkunku has signed a new deal with RB Leipzig which will effectively end any Manchester United interest this summer.

The France international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time, particularly during Ralf Rangnick’s spell as interim manager. The German recommended Nkunku to United back in January, only it seems the club will not follow up on his suggestion.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb season for Leipzig, scoring 35 goals and registering 19 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, leading to him beating Robert Lewandowski to the Bundesliga’s player of the year award. That form also led to speculation that he could be on the move this summer, with a number of clubs linked with his services.

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Nkunku, though, has put those rumours to bed after putting pen to paper on a new contract with Leipzig, keeping him at the club until 2026. Reports suggest the new deal includes a release clause of around €60million, which can be triggered from the summer of 2023.

“I’m pleased to continue wearing the RB Leipzig shirt,” Nkunku told Leipzig’s website. “After our great achievement in winning the DFB-Pokal, it remained clear that my story here isn’t over yet – we want more!

“I was really impressed with the club’s efforts to keep me, so a big thanks goes to those responsible for the trust in me and especially to [Leipzig CEO] Oliver Mintzlaff, with who I was always in close contact.

“RB Leipzig have made a name for themselves on the international stage in recent years and have shown time and again that we can compete for titles. We want to build on that going forward and go one step further.”

Nkunku’s new deal ends any hopes United fans may have held of seeing him make the move to Old Trafford this summer. Of course, had Rangnick got his way, the forward may already be a United player.

The former interim boss is a huge fan of the 24-year-old, and reportedly labelled Nkunku the “best young player in Germany”. With Ajax star Antony now being targeted by Erik ten Hag, it remains to be seen whether Nkunku will ever come back onto United's transfer radar.

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