RB Leipzig are reportedly bracing themselves for a raid from Manchester City in the pursuit of Christopher Nkunku, who is valued at €55 million.
According to SportBild, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City have registered an interest in Christopher Nkunku. The reigning English champions are plotting a raid on Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig in search of up and coming talents next season, with the French playmaker emerging as the ideal option.
The report suggests Nkunku is valued at around €55 million, thanks to an incredible start to the 2021/22 campaign. Manchester City are also eyeing a move for his RB Leipzig teammate Josko Gvardiol, but they could face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur.
A product of the PSG youth academy, Nkunku has been a major success at Leipzig since joining the club in the summer of 2019. In two and a half years at the Bundesliga club, the attacker has been involved in 71 goals in just 115 competitive appearances. His contributions have been critical in helping Leipzig emerge as the second-best team in Germany over the past few seasons.
However, the Frenchman has upped his game to a whole new level this term, having been directly involved in 32 of the 71 goals in the ongoing campaign. His exploits in the final third include seven goals in the UEFA Champions League, three of which came in a single game against Manchester City.
Although Leipzig are out of the competition, it appears Nkunku’s blazing performances in Europe have caught the attention of Pep Guardiola.
The reigning English champions are gearing up for a summer of changes, especially in the attacking department, after offloading Ferran Torres and Sergio Aguero in the past year. Raheem Sterling’s contract situation also remains unresolved, with Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly keeping close tabs on him.
It has accentuated the need for a fresh face in the creative department, with Nkunku fitting the bill nicely. A playmaker by trade, the Leipzig starlet is versatile enough to reprise in a variety of roles, including false nine. His ability to link up with attacking players coupled with his through passes in between defences could make him an asset for any club in Europe.
However, Manchester City are expected to face strong resistance in the pursuit of Nkunku. While Leipzig might be open to offloading the player for a fee of €55 million, he is courted by a host of other clubs, including Chelsea, potentially sparking a bidding war for the services of the in-demand Frenchman next summer.
