Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal to sign Chelsea flop ahead of Liverpool and Man Utd

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to enter a six-way transfer race for wantaway Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, according to reports.

Much was expected of Nkunku following his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023 but the France international has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku only made 14 Premier League appearances during his first season at Chelsea as he struggled with reoccurring injury issues.

The 27-year-old has been back fit this season but has still not made the impact Chelsea fans hoped for, scoring just three goals in the league.

Such has been Nkunku’s struggles, Chelsea considered selling him in January and are believed to be open to offers once again ahead of the summer transfer window.

Despite Nkunku’s poor form, a number of clubs have expressed interest in signing a player who was the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021-22 and the division’s top goalscorer the following year.

Nkunku is keen for a summer move to revive his faltering career and has attracted interest from six clubs, according to The Sun.

Arsenal are said to be ‘lining up a move’ for Nkunku, with Arteta keen to bolster his attacking options and of the opinion that the Chelsea flop could go to another level in north London.

Kai Havertz has developed into a key player for the Gunners since Arsenal signed him from Chelsea in 2023, but last summer’s move for Raheem Sterling has not had the desired effect.

Arsenal will face substantial competition in the race to sign Nkunku, however, with five other clubs reportedly keen to secure his signature.

Manchester United were in talks with Chelsea in January and are ready to revive their interest this summer, with Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim reportedly a ‘huge admirer’.

Liverpool also see potential in Nkunku and are preparing to strengthen Arne Slot’s attacking line following a stunning Premier League title triumph.

Ex-Chelsea manager Graham Potter, meanwhile, is believed to be interested in bringing Nkunku to West Ham in his first full transfer window in charge of the Hammers.

Nkunku also has admirers from abroad with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid ready to offer the Frenchman a chance to rebuild his career away from the Premier League.

Earlier this month Nkunku was told joining Arsenal would be a ‘good move’ for him by former Chelsea title winner Florent Malouda.

Arsenal would be ‘good move’ for Nkunku

‘Arsenal or Bayern Munich would be the right kind of place for him to go, but I’m not sure he should leave Chelsea,’ Premier League and Champions League winner Malouda told Racing Tipster.

‘Personally, I like him as a player, as a person. I would love for him to fight and to prove what he showed in the beginning.

‘I think it’s more a mental aspect that he needs to work on a little bit, like Jadon Sancho. Moving clubs, it’s sometimes running away from what you have to adjust.

‘He’s used to the Bundesliga, but at Bayern, there would be competition too. So for me he has more things to improve. But it’s like he kind of gave up mentally, and that’s what he needs to adjust.

Chelsea told to ‘cut their losses’ with Nkunku

‘But yeah, Bayern Munich or Arsenal would be good clubs for him to continue to progress and, and most important is to prepare for the World cup coming next year.’

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf recently urged Nkunku and the club to ‘cut their losses’ and go in their separate ways at the end of the season.

‘I think they need to cut their losses and go their separate ways,’ the former Chelsea centre-back told Metro via BetVictor.

‘It’s best for the club but also the future of the player. Careers are pretty short so you have to react quickly if it doesn’t work.

‘And it can happen like this – sometimes the chemistry doesn’t work. I was very happy to see him come to Chelsea, but it’s never worked. ‘He’s never been able to settle down, maybe because the position he’s been offered wasn’t the right one. 

‘It’s always difficult to come from a family club like Leipzig to a club where you have to perform and the pressure is one you always. I had that when I moved from Strasbourg to Chelsea and it’s a big task if you’re not able to cope with the situation.

‘It’s never worked for him but he’s still a good player. He will have to rebound but we’ve seen that before with players like Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah when they left.’

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