Exclusive: Florian Wirtz transfer to have major effect on €50m Chelsea sale, one way or another | OneFootball

It’s been clear for some time that Christopher Nkunku is going to leave Chelsea in the summer, and now we’re starting to get some information about where he might end up.

Nkunku departure almost sealed as Chelsea prepare to move on

Christopher Nkunku chases a ball against Brentford. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

The Frenchmen looked like he was going to be the key attacking piece of the new look Chelsea just a couple of years ago. After a season waiting for him to arrive, he was central to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. But then two things happened – he got injured, and Cole Palmer arrived to fill the vacuum left by his absence.

Since returning from injury, the Frenchman just hasn’t performed, and hasn’t been trusted, either by Pochettino or his replacement Enzo Maresca. After a year spent mainly on the bench or playing in the Conference League, everything is lined up for him to go. He hasn’t even been included in some recent matchday squads. The question is who makes a move for him this summer.

Major teams queue up for Nkunku bid

Our sources tell us there are no shortage of teams pushing for him. Bayern Munich have long been linked, but they will only move for Nkunku if they fail in their attempts to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile Leverkusen will also considering signing Nkunku should they sell Wirtz – so we have an opportunity either way, depending on what happens in that deal.

His former team RB Leipzig are another team apparently keeping up to date on his status.

In the Premier League, both Tottenham and Newcastle are showing interest, with Spurs already having contacted Nkunku’s agent. Manchester United did try to make a last minute attempt for him in January, but it’s not clear if they’ll come back in the summer. Chelsea are looking for around €50m for Nkunku, which makes him expensive but not prohibitively so.