Christopher Nkunku had a secret medical with Chelsea this month with €59 million release clause.
Christopher Nkunku, a forward for RB Leipzig, reportedly underwent covert medical exams with Chelsea in the summer, but the 24-year-€60 old’s million (£53 million) release clause cannot be activated until the following year.
Following a season in which he scored 35 goals in 52 games for Leipzig across all competitions, Nkunku has a number of suitors throughout Europe. The adaptable attacker has continued this strong run of form into the new season, scoring six goals thus far.
Chelsea was one among the clubs interested in signing Nkunku from Leipzig, but a summer transfer was delayed by the release clause added into the forward’s contract in June.
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Nkunku’s £53 million release clause doesn’t take effect until 2023, according to Bild, through Fussball News, therefore Leipzig were unlikely to make a deal unless the Blues, who overspent by over £270 million under Todd Boehly in the summer, made a significantly greater bid.
That didn’t stop the Londoners from performing some private medical examinations on Nkunku, though, and according to the story, the Frenchman has already had a cardiological test. In addition, it was rumored that a Chelsea orthopedist was present for the tests, which were carried out covertly to avoid a stir and just recently paid for.
When Nkunku’s release clause kicks in next summer, Chelsea is anticipated to reignite their interest. They have no qualms about spending £52 million to sign one of Europe’s most productive forwards.
Nkunku would join Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Blues’ new look attack at Stamford Bridge under Graham Potter if Chelsea do move forward with their ambitions to sign Nkunku in a year.
Romelu Lukaku returned to the team for a record £97.5 million last year, and it’s expected that after losing favor with Thomas Tuchel, he will be either fully incorporated under Potter or permanently offloaded.
Two more players at the team, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, are in for a crucial few months now that a new head coach has been hired. Both had trouble getting consistent playing time under Potter’s predecessor, Tuchel.
Although Pulisic has been particularly vocal about his dislike of the German, it is said that he turned down a loan offer from Manchester United in order to remain and compete for a role in the first team at Stamford Bridge.
After conversations with AC Milan on the final day of the deadline, Ziyech appeared to be leaving. A contract with the Italian juggernauts, though, fell through at the last minute, leaving Ziyech in a limo.
There is still a chance for both of them to be offloaded in upcoming transfer windows, even though they will both have ambitions of revitalizing their Chelsea careers under a new manager.
