13 hours ago
Chelsea reject Bayern Munich loan bid for Christopher Nkunku
Bayern Munich have failed with an approach to sign Christopher Nkunku on loan as Chelsea insist on a permanent sale.
Further talks took place between Chelsea and Bayern over the weekend about the 27-year-old, who is at present not in the west London club's plans for the season. Chelsea remain clear in their stance that Nkunku can only leave on a permanent basis, while Bayern were seeking to find a formula whereby they could sign Nkunku on an initial loan.
Chelsea need more sales if they are to progress with their interest in the RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons, as well as the Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Inter Milan are also thought to be interested in Nkunku while RB Leipzig previously considered an approach, but it is understood that the France international had no interest in a return to his former club, who did not qualify for the Champions League this season. Inter would also need to offer a permanent deal.
Bayern remain interested in Nkunku, as they are keen to reinforce their attack after selling Kingsley Coman to Al-Nassr on Friday. However at this stage, unless there is a change in position, a deal is not likely to progress.
Nkunku and Chelsea will continue to explore their options during this transfer window, and it is now expected that any deal may go down to the wire. However, the prospect of Nkunku staying at Stamford Bridge has not been ruled out. Nkunku still has four years remaining on his contract, which he signed in the summer of 2023 after completing a £52million transfer from RB Leipzig.
Nkunku's first season at Chelsea was hampered by injury and he struggled to nail down a permanent spot in the team under Enzo Maresca last season. He featured prominently at the Club World Cup, however, but delayed his return to pre-season last week due to a small injury issue.
Jadon Sancho's proposed move to Roma has stalled after he rejected their contract offer, saying he wants to consider his options. The Italian club offered about £17million to Manchester United, who prefer to sell the winger.
Sancho has a year left on his contract, worth at least £250,000 a week, although United have an option to extend it by a season until 2027. Roma have also made an approach about Leon Bailey of Aston Villa.
Roma could turn to Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe as a potential alternative. The former Arsenal player, 25, lost his place in the Fulham team towards the end of last season and only came on in the 77th minute of their draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Nottingham Forest have spent nearly £100million in the past three days after Arnaud Kalimuendo followed Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee in joining the club. Kalimuendo, 23, arrives in a deal worth about £25million from Rennes, for whom the striker scored 18 league goals last season. Hutchinson signed from Ipswich Town for a club-record £37.5million and McAtee signed from Manchester City for £30million.
Forest are also in talks to sign Douglas Luiz on loan with the option to buy him for £26million. The midfielder scored nine goals to help Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League in 2024 before moving to Juventus for £42.5million. The Brazil midfielder was restricted to 19 league and six Champions League appearances last season in part due to injury.
