Liverpool have entered the race for Christopher Nkunku and discussions are in place over a possible deal to sign the Chelsea forward this summer.
Nkunku joined Chelsea with weighty expectations on his shoulders on the back of a high-profile £52m transfer move from RB Leipzig in 2023.
But the 27-year-old has flattered to deceive across an injury-ravaged two-year spell in English football in which he has managed a total of just six league goals for the Blues.
Last month, it was reported that Nkunku had handed in a transfer request in a bid to bring his desperately disappointing stay at Stamford Bridge to a halt at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Nkunku is eager to get his stuttering career back on track and has his heart set on finding a new club when the summer transfer window opens for business.
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According to French publication Foot Mercato, Nkunku finds himself on Liverpool’s shortlist of targets and ‘talks have begun’ over a proposed switch to Anfield.
Liverpool’s hierarchy are scouring the market for versatile attacking players and believe Nkunku fits the bill, with the Frenchman comfortable playing as a forward, a second striker or as an attacking midfielder.
It’s claimed Bayern Munich remain keen on Nkunku after missing out on a deal in January. Leroy Sane looks likely to depart the Allianz Arena and the newly crowned Bundesliga champions are on the hunt for a possible replacement.
Newcastle are also keeping tabs on Nkunku’s situation, but their interest in the France international remains just that for the time being.
The report adds that Nkunku is intent on joining a club in the Champions League and playing in Europe’s premier competition next year is ‘very important’ to the former Bundesliga Player of the Season.
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It has been nearly a month since Nkunku last featured for Chelsea and the attacker will play no part in the side’s upcoming clash with Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca has refused to be drawn on the exact reason for Nkunku’s continued absence, citing a ‘technical decision’ when pressed for an explanation last month.
‘No, Christo is still out,’ Enzo Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference earlier today.
Chelsea ideally hope to raise £35m from the summer sale of Nkunku.
The former RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain star still has four years remaining on his current contract in west London.
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