RB Leipzig step up Christopher Nkunku talks with Chelsea
The discussions are for a permanent deal, with Nkunku open to the possibility of rejoining his former club and keen on a permanent transfer.
Leipzig and Chelsea had already been in contact as informal talks continue over a deal for Xavi Simons to move to the Premier League club.
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Bayern Munich have also been in negotiations with Chelsea over a move for Nkunku this summer. However, The Athletic reported in the Transfer DealSheet on Tuesday the shared desire of player and club to find a permanent move rather than a loan was proving an obstacle.
A deal for Nkunku to return to Leipzig is not considered close at this stage, and the forward remains open to other options.
The 27-year-old has been expected to leave Chelsea this summer, with The Athletic reporting in November that he was not happy at the club.
He has been the subject of enquiries from clubs in Germany, England and Italy, with Chelsea valuing the France international at €50million (£43.2million; $58.2m), having put a £65m price tag on him in January.
Nkunku joined Chelsea from Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and his Chelsea contract runs until 2029.
He made 43 appearances in all competitions last season and scored 14 goals but started just nine times in the Premier League.
Nkunku spent four years at Leipzig after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He scored 70 goals in 172 appearances for the Bundesliga club and won the DFB-Pokal twice.
He was named the Bundesliga player of the year for the 2021-22 season and was the league's joint-top scorer the following campaign with 16 goals in 25 appearances.
Additional reporting: Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
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