New Delhi: Christopher Nkunku has been on the radar of many clubs across Europe in this transfer window after struggling to break into Chelsea’s starting XI this season. The 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea at the beginning of last season, has spent most of his time on the bench in this campaign, despite being the club’s top scorer with 13 goals in 28 games in all competitions.
However, he’s played less than 400 minutes in his 18 Premier League appearances for the club, starting only two games in the league which has caused him to leave the club this winter. This prompted German giants, Bayern Munich, to enquire about the availability of the Frenchman from the London club according to reports on social media with reputed journalists confirming the German clubs’ interests. The Bundesliga outfit are currently exploring the possibility to sign Nkunku after being interested in him for quite a while.
Nkunku made a mark for himself in the Bundesliga before joining Chelsea for RB Leipzig and had a terrific record during his time in Germany. In 172 appearances for the Red Bull club, he scored 70 goals and provided 54 assists before moving to the English capital but his time in the country hasn’t been that great. Joining the club in the summer of 2023, Nkunku suffered a long-term injury in pre-season, ruling him out for the majority of the campaign.
🚨🔴 EXCL | FC Bayern want to sign Christopher #Nkunku immediately!
⚠️ Bayern have already reached a full verbal agreement with Nkunku on a top long-term contract. All terms are agreed. Nkunku wants to join Bayern right away.
Regardless of Mathys #Tel, Nkunku is Bayern’s top… pic.twitter.com/SDMZdl0RmR
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 13, 2025
The 2023/24 season yielded only 14 appearances and a measly three goals for the Frenchman and he was expected to perform better this season but has so far not been able to impress Enzo Maresca. Bayern Munich are looking to bring the Frenchman to the club and have reportedly agreed personal terms with the attacker verbally with the move said to be at an advanced stage already.
Chelsea reportedly value the player at £65 million and are interested in completing a permanent move for the player. The player is said to be keen on the move and the deal on hinges on the clubs agreeing to a mutually suitable package. There were question marks over Nkunku’s future at the club when Enzo Maresca was appointed as he didn’t seem the kind of player Maresca could’ve used in his system and as this deal edges close, those rumors seem to have been true.
Chelsea interested in Bayern Munich’s attacker as well
🔵💭 More on Mathys Tel exclusive story.
Chelsea consider Tel as ideal signing, talks took place with Bayern and it depends on player side now, talks to follow.
Chelsea already wanted him last summer + Tel spoke to Kompany 10 days ago to confirm his desire to stay at Bayern. pic.twitter.com/lzeG872obw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 14, 2025
The Nkunku deal might not be the only one involving these two clubs as Chelsea also have an interest in Bayern Munich’s French attacker. The highly rated Mathys Tel is said to be on Chelsea’s radar to replace the outgoing Christopher Nkunku. The 19-year-old Frenchman is an exciting attacker who has the capability of playing upfront and on the left side of the wing and has a keen eye for goal.
Chelsea had expressed an interest in Tel in the summer as well but they seem to be acting upon it now. The deal to bring in Tel remains complicated with the 19-year-old not expressing any desires to leave the club at the moment. Tel has in the past stated that he wants to stay at Bayern and fight for his place at the club. He has a long contract at the Bavarian giants and wouldn’t come cheaply in Bayern sanctioned a move.
Reports online have surfaced that the English club would be willing to make a move for the player if he gives any encouragement towards joining Chelsea. The London club will be making a move to replace Nkunku if he does end up completing a switch to Bayern Munich with Chelsea being short on strikers. They will have no replacement for Nicolas Jackson outside of youngster Marc Guiu, who is still learning the ropes, and Tel would prove to be an excellent replacement who could easily fit in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
The Frenchman has struggled to dislodge Nicolas Jackson from the starting XI this season which has limited his gametime at the club and the German giants are looking to prize away the 27-year-old from the London club. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
