Chelsea continue to be heavily linked with a move for highly-rated RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku as Todd Boehly plans for the upcoming transfer windows.
The Blues spent more than any other Premier League club in the summer transfer window, signing eight new first team players including the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella. Graham Potter has been brought in as the new head coach, replacing Thomas Tuchel after the German was sacked following a poor start to the season.
Potter will be keen to add players that fit his style of football but must make do with the current squad throughout a hectic period of fixtures in the lead up to the 2022 World Cup. Nkunku signed a new contract with the Bundesliga outfit earlier this year, but is thought to be one of Chelsea's top targets for the summer transfer window in 2023.
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Christopher Nkunku 'happy' with Chelsea proposal
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed in his exclusive CaughtOffside column that Chelsea have sent RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku a proposal that the French forward is 'happy' with.
Romano said: “We’ve had a lot of stories about Christopher Nkunku in the last 24-48 hours. It’s normal, he’s a top player, and some big clubs are involved, so what’s really going on? From what I’m told, Nkunku has had a medical with Chelsea – it was not a personal medical, Chelsea staff were there, and it was for Chelsea Football Club.
“This doesn’t mean it’s a done deal, the medical took place a few weeks ago, and Chelsea have sent a proposal to the player, which he’s happy with. But with RB Leipzig, there is still work to do on an agreement.
“I’m told that Chelsea will try to discuss a fee with Leipzig, before activating the clause in June 2023; so it’s possible they will discuss different price tag or payment terms. As of now, Chelsea are pushing and are leading the race, also on the player’s side.”
Graham Potter delivers Chelsea transfer stance
The latest is that this wasn't the case according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg who tweeted: 'News Nkunku: We have been told that it was not a medical in order to finalise a deal with CFC. It should have taken place due to insurance reasons. Yes, Chelsea wants him in 2023 but no decision yet, no signing of a pre-contract so far. But release clause!'
Regardless of what is true and not, Potter was keen not to be drawn in on all the speculation. He concluded: "I know we have not had a conversation before. My answer to that type of stuff, unless it's a player for us I don't really speak about other players. So, no comment."
'Secret medical' complete
The French attacker for RB Leipzig has been in some of the most inspired form in Europe and was attracting admiring glances from both Chelsea and Arsenal, with football.london understanding he has been looked at by the Blues for a while.
In anticipation of this, Bild Germany are writing that the forward has even had a 'secret medical' at Stamford Bridge.
If this is true then the cat is very much out of the bag now but it does demonstrate the shrewdness in which Boehly has operated so far.
£52million release clause
Christopher Nkunku's new contract with RB Leipzig is said to include a £52million release clause. Todd Boehly could be set to prioritise a move for the French forward as his first job of the 2023 summer transfer window by activating the clause and bringing Nkunku to Stamford Bridge.
Benjamin Sesko influence
Benjamin Sesko's 2023 move to RB Leipzig has seemingly helped Chelsea secure their man, with Christopher Nkunku move to Stamford Bridge now looking more likely.
Sesko, 19, will move to the Bundesliga for the start of the 23/24 campaign, with Leipzig already one step ahead by securing a replacement for Nkunku's switch.
New contract with RB Leipzig
Christopher Nkunku signed a two-year contract extension in June 2022 with his current deal now set to expire in 2026. The new contract has been reported to include a £52million release clause which could see the Frenchman leave the club should any club wish to submit a bid matching that fee.
After signing the contract extension, the 24-year-old said: "I'm pleased to continue wearing the RB Leipzig shirt. After our great achievement in winning the DFB Cup, it remained clear that my story here isn't over yet - we want more. 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."
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