Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku scored a sublime free-kick in RB Leipzig's clash with Hoffenheim, further proving why the west Londoners should wrap up a deal in January. The 24-year-old has continued to impress for the German side as Todd Boehly prepares to grant Graham Potter his first signing as Blues boss.
Nkunku was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, but a move failed to materialise. football.london understand that the Blues hold a long-term interest in Nkunku and were considering whether to make an approach in the summer but they were put off by Leipzig's €100million (£87.6million) valuation.
In June, the France international signed a two-year extension at the Red Bull Arena which cast doubt as to whether a move would be on the cards. But, it's understood that a €60million (£52.6million) release clause - which becomes active in the summer - was inserted into his contract, meaning Nkunku could leave for considerably less than first thought.
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With a transfer race wide open amid reported interest from Liverpool, Chelsea have as much incentive as ever to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge in January. From 20-yards out, Nkunku whipped the ball into the top-left corner and became the first player to reach 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
Since the start of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, Chelsea have scored just two free-kicks. One of which came from Mason Mount a few weeks ago and the other from Marcos Alonso, who now plies his trade at Barcelona.
In fact, since the start of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, only three players have scored free-kicks for the Blues and two of which are no longer at the club - Willian and Alonso. So, Chelsea could certainly do with signing Nkunku after his latest display.
Leipzig currently sit outside the top-four in the German top-flight. On the European stage, Nkunku's side are one of several clubs that Chelsea could face in the Champions League round of 16.
Last month, both Leipzig boss Marco Rose and teammate Dominik Szoboszlai dismissed reports that claimed that Nkunku is leaving. The former said: "We don't comment on speculation. We don't care about it."
Szoboszlai doubled down. He said: "I have the same answer as the coach. We don't talk much about speculation. He knows that he is one of our players and that he has to do the best for us. We know that he does everything for the team and will continue to do so."
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