Chelsea are prepared to make a loss on Christopher Nkunku as Manchester United consider a move for the forward this summer, according to reports.
Nkunku, signed for £52million from RB Leipzig in 2023, looks set to leave Chelsea this summer after being deemed surplus to requirements.
The Frenchman was left out of several of Enzo Maresca’s matchday squads last season and has seemingly fallen further down the pecking order this summer after the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
United are one of the clubs credited with an interest in Nkunku and are said to have held talks with the player’s camp last month to try and begin thrashing out a deal.
Ruben Amorim’s side have already signed Matheus Cunha and are closing in on a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, but are still keen on further attacking reinforcements after a dismal season last year.
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And according to the Mirror, the Red Devils will have to pay just £35m to convince Chelsea to part ways with the 27-year-old.
United may have to first sanction departures to raise funds but have several players who are looking for a move away from Old Trafford this summer.
Marcus Rashford is still pushing for a move to Barcelona after the United forward was stripped of his No.10 shirt ahead of pre-season.
Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia have also reportedly told United that they would like to leave this summer.
All five have been granted an extended break to try and finalise moves away from the club.
Joao Pedro looking to fill Nkunku’s boots
New summer signing Pedro looks set to replace Nkunku in Maresca’s squad as a similarly versatile attacker who can play across the front line.
But former Chelsea full-back Glen Johnson insisted the Brazilian will have to work hard to ensure he succeeds where Nkunku failed.
‘It will all depend on how Joao Pedro starts, whether he will get regular minutes,’ Johnson told Metro via 888sport. ‘I like him as a player but obviously he’s making a big step up from Brighton, no disrespect to them obviously.
‘It will be interesting to see what he can do now with better players. If you want to play regularly for a team challenging for the Premier League title, then you have to kick on. How he starts will be very important for his Chelsea prospects.’
Asked about Jamie Gittens, another of Chelsea’s new signings, Johnson added: ‘It’s always a risk signing players from outside the Premier League, especially those with a big transfer fee.
‘There are a lot of players who come to the Premier League and find games too fast, and they get overrun – they can’t cope.
‘But there are also a lot of players that can deal with the physicality. It is a risk, but it could be one worth taking.’
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