Chelsea
are close to agreeing a deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.
The France international, who can also play in midfield, signed a two-year
extension on his contract earlier this year taking him to 2026 - but
significantly it contained a €60m (£52.4m) release clause which kicks in
next summer.
Sky Sports News has been told nothing has been signed and the player himself
has yet to make a final decision on his future amid interest from a number
of top European clubs.
It is thought Chelsea are prepared to offer more than the release clause in
advance of the summer to ensure they get Nkunku ahead of the other
interested clubs.
Nkunku, who came through the youth system at Paris Saint-Germain before
joining Leipzig in 2019, has scored six goals in eight Bundesliga
appearances this season and has made eight appearances for his country
Nkunku offers goals, trickery, pace and versatility
Sky Sports' Adam Smith:
Only six players have scored more goals than Nkunku in Europe's top five
leagues since the start of last season: Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland,
Ciro Immobile, Karim Benzema, Dusan Vlahovic and Kylian Mbappe.
So Nkunku has earned his place among Europe's elite superstars, but the
24-year-old also offers so much more than pure firepower.
The France international ranks fifth in the Bundesliga for dribbles, winning
fouls and passes completed in the final third since the start of last season
- while only Patrik Schick has registered more fast breaks.
Nkunku's positional versatility will appeal to new Chelsea manager Graham
Potter, with the right-footed forward comfortable playing on both flanks and
in central midfield.
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