Real Madrid and Manchester United will reportedly compete with Chelsea to secure the services of Christopher Nkunku next summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Chelsea will not be the only club to pursue Christopher Nkunku in the 2023 summer transfer window. Real Madrid and Manchester United also want to sign the French international. His suitors will have to trigger his release clause, worth €60 million, to sign him from RB Leipzig.
Christopher Nkunku has transformed his fortunes since joining RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain three years ago. The 24-year-old was a promising midfielder when he arrived in Germany. But he has remodelled his game to become one of the most prolific attackers in Europe.
The French international enjoyed his breakthrough last season and has continued the fine run of form this term. Nkunku has 12 goals and one assist in 18 appearances across all competitions thus far. And his exploits have captured the attention of several European bigwigs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
Real Madrid briefly considered pursuing Nkunku this past summer before shelving the plans until 2023. The interest in the Frenchman comes in the wake of Karim Benzema’s advancing years. And while Nkunku will not be a like-for-like replacement for his compatriot, he can replace Benzema’s goals.
As for Manchester United, the 24-year-old can be a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international is an unhappy camper at Old Trafford and will look to depart from Old Trafford in 2023. The RB Leipzig talisman is thus a viable target for Manchester United, with €60 million being an affordable sum for them.
But Real Madrid and Manchester United face an uphill task of beating Chelsea to Nkunku. That is because recent reports have claimed that the Blues have a pre-contract agreement to sign the French international. And with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only a short-term solution, Chelsea will look at Nkunku as an option for the coming decade.
Recent reports have also claimed that Chelsea might look to sign the player in January. But a summer move is likelier for Nkunku. It will be interesting to see who wins the €60 million race to sign the 24-year-old following the emergence of Real Madrid and Manchester United.
