Latest news with #Nkunku
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea see sensational swap transfer offer 'rejected by Barcelona'
Both Chelsea and Barcelona are expected to be active in the summer transfer window, but the Blues have suffered a blow to their plans thanks to the La Liga champions Barcelona have rejected a sensational swap deal that would have seen their star Fermin Lopez and Chelsea's Christoper Nkunku exchange clubs. Both sides are expected to be active in this summer's transfer window and are looking to strengthen ahead of next season. Barca will be looking to defend their La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, while Chelsea will be hoping to build on their qualification for the Champions League. Nkunku has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his arrival in 2023. The Blues paid RB Leipzig a fee of £52million to sign the Frenchman, but his debut campaign was severly disrupted by injury. This term he has fallen behind Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order, starting just nine Premier League games. Nkunku had built a reputation for being one of Europe's most promising attackers during his time with Leipzig. His standing has taken a knock since he moved to London though, with Chelsea having added Liam Delap to their squad already this summer. With Delap arriving for £30m from Ipswich, the Blues are ready to see Nkunku depart. Despite him having four years to run on his contract, Chelsea chiefs are shopping the attacker around to rival clubs. According to Mundo Deportivo, one of those clubs was Barca. It is said that Chelsea proposed a swap deal, with Nkunku and Lopez exchanging clubs, as Blues boss Enzo Maresca is a big fan of the attacking midfielder. While Barca are keen to add a striker to their squad this summer, the La Liga champions 'flatly rejected' the offer. Both club president Joan Laporta and manager Hansi Flick are in agreement on that decision. Lopez has been something of a perfect 12th man for Barca under Flick, appearing in 46 matches albeit mostly as a substitute in their biggest games, scoring eight goals and notching eight assists as they won the Spanish double. Flick is also not a fan of Nkunku so was happy to reject the deal. In fact, Barca would only be open to selling Lopez if the player himself requests a transfer. That is a situation that the club are prepared for, with the midfielder hoping for a place in Spain's squad for next summer's World Cup. But with Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Pedri and Raphinha ahead of him in the pecking order, he may well need to move on. Former Chelsea star John-Obi Mikel has urged the Blues to part with Nkunku. He told GiveMeSport: 'Injuries haven't helped and you can see he doesn't like being played out of position. He's not a striker, he's a number ten. But of course, when you have [Cole] Palmer in that position, you can't just take him out the side. 'It's time to sell Nkunku, get some money and then invest in a wide attacker. I am not so sure replacing Nkunku with another striker is wise because it's not good to have three established strikers all fighting for one position.'
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea make swap deal offer for €60m Barcelona star in summer transfer window
Chelsea have launched a swap deal offer to sign Barcelona star Fermin Lopez in the summer transfer window, according to reports. The La Liga champions are believed to have slapped a €60m (£50.6m) price tag on the 22-year-old Spain international. Lopez has mainly operated as an attacking midfielder and central midfielder but can also be deployed as a left winger. He registered five goal involvements across 11 Champions League games for Barcelona in the 2024-25 season as the club reached the semi-finals. Lopez, who came through Barcelona's academy, also played 28 times in the Spanish top-flight in 2024-25, producing six goals and five assists. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea are keen to bring Lopez to Stamford Bridge and Mundo Deportivo reports that they've offered up Christopher Nkunku as part of a swap deal. The Spanish outlet adds that Barcelona have already rejected the swap deal proposal – despite the Catalan club being in need of a new striker. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick views Lopez as an important player – and despite not being a goalscorer – he has almost equalled Nkunku's figures. It is thought Barcelona would only be willing to sell Fermin if he asks to leave the club in search of more playing time, with the player currently battling Dani Olmo for regular minutes in the attacking midfield role. A move to Barcelona is off the cards for now – but Nkunku still looks set for a Chelsea exit this summer – especially after the Blues signed Liam Delap. In April, Nkunku told Chelsea he wanted to leave in the summer transfer window after receiving interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Last week, it was reported that Tottenham had made an initial approach to sign the 27-year-old Frenchman. More Trending Premier League champions Liverpool have also been linked with Nkunku in the summer transfer window. Nkunku has only been at Chelsea for two years, joining the west London club in a £52m deal from German side RB Leipzig. His spell with the Blues has been largely impacted by injury issues but he's managed 56 appearances to date, conjuring up 17 goals and five assists. Nkunku has mainly operated as a back-up option for Chelsea's main striker Nicolas Jackson. MORE: John Obi Mikel calls for three more Chelsea signings but fears one star will leave MORE: Man Utd set to beat Arsenal to signing of £60million transfer target MORE: Jack Grealish 'walks into Liverpool and Chelsea teams' with Man City exit looming
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona turn down Chelsea's Nkunku-Lopez swap deal
Barcelona have rejected a potential swap deal with Chelsea involving Christopher Nkunku and Fermin Lopez, according to Mundo Deportivo. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admires Lopez and wants him at Stamford Bridge, but Barca are not interested in an exchange deal for their La Masia graduate. Advertisement Lopez caught the eye this season, coming on from the bench to provide creativity and energy. The Spanish attacking midfielder also has a keen eye for goal. Lopez bagged eight goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances for the Catalans as they clinched the domestic treble and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final. His performances have caught the eye of Chelsea, but Barca are not willing to part with their prized asset, especially if the offer on the table is taking Nkunku. The Frenchman has endured two injury-riddled campaigns in West London and is keen to move away. Nkunku managed 14 goals and five assists, but the consensus is that it was an underwhelming season. Advertisement Barca are too focused on signing Luis Diaz, and except Lopez asks for a move away, they will not be at the negotiating table with Chelsea. Chelsea should not be afraid to cough up the funds for Lopez – View Firstly, Lopez brings one quality Chelsea desperately need – intensity. He is a vivacious attacker who executes his actions with quickness and works hard off the ball. Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are quality in the Chelsea engine room, but they play at their own pace. Lopez injects electricity into matches. Additionally, he can cover several positions, and the Blues need that versatility when they eventually sell Nkunku. Advertisement He can provide the same cutting edge in attack and does not rest on his laurels defensively. If Chelsea can get Lopez at a fair price, he would be a steal. However, Barcelona will likely demand a massive fee to part ways with the 22-year-old, who is a stud.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea begin huge transfer firesale with FOURTEEN players up for sale including Madueke, Nkunku and forgotten £45m flop
It comes with Chelsea set to welcome some new faces SUMMER SALES Chelsea begin huge transfer firesale with FOURTEEN players up for sale including Madueke, Nkunku and forgotten £45m flop Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA are preparing for a huge summer of sales with up to FOURTEEN players facing the axe. The Blues finished in the top four - to qualify for the Champions League - while topping off the campaign by lifting the Conference League trophy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix look set to leave Chelsea for good Credit: Getty Although Enzo Maresca is braced to start next season with a new-look squad of fresh faces. Liam Delap is set to sign for £30million from Ipswich while wingers Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho are linked with a move to West London. But according to The Guardian, Chelsea are also looking to offload several unwanted stars in their squad. With a winger likely to arrive this summer, Noni Madueke - who scored 11 last season - is said to be on the market. READ MORE ON CHELSEA GITT IT DONE Chelsea 'want transfer for Dortmund's Jamie Gittens before Club World Cup' Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix - who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan - are other attackers up for sale. Nkunku arrived from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52.7million in 2023 and scored 14 goals last season - but only three in the league. He had underwhelming stints up front while also failing to find form out wide or in an attacking midfield role. Bayern Munich inquired about the Frenchman in January while Manchester United have also been linked in the past. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Felix first joined Chelsea in 2023 on loan before later joining Barcelona only to move back to the Blues in a permanent £45m deal. But by February, he had fallen out of favour with Maresca and joined AC Milan on loan managing just three goals in 21 games. Chelsea finally discover Club World Cup opponents as former star, 38, assists dramatic winner to set up reunion A move back to Benfica - where Felix first made his name - or Flamengo in Brazil are potential options for the forward. Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could also be sold if the right bid comes in. Petrovic signed in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Strasbourg while Sanchez has spent two seasons at Chelsea after joining from Brighton for £30m. Maresca has continued to back Sanchez despite shaky form - but recent reports say the Spaniard's future is up in the air. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi are all due back from their respective loans but remain out of favour in defence. Meanwhile Wesley Fofana - signed for £70m from Leicester in 2022 - is also said to be at risk amid his injury struggles. Trevoh Chalobah was loaned out to Crystal Palace last summer after Chelsea failed to move him on permanently. Chalobah was later recalled in January and despite finishing the season in fine form, he could still be at risk of leaving. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are midfielders with uncertain futures. Dewsbury-Hall arrived from Leicester for £30m this summer but has been reduced to mainly cup action in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Chukwuemeka ended the campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund while Ugochukwu is due to return after Southampton's relegation. And Raheem Sterling - who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract - has no future at Chelsea after a disappointing Arsenal loan spell. Sterling was frozen out by Maresca at the start of the season and scored just once for the Gunners - in the League Cup. 9 Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah, pictured with Jadon Sancho, could be sold by Chelsea Credit: Getty 9 Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could also be sold Credit: Getty 9 Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell look set to be sold Credit: Getty 9 Axel Disasi was loaned out to Aston Villa Credit: Rex 9 Wesley Fofana has struggled with injury issues Credit: Getty 9 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's Chelsea future is at risk Credit: Rex 9 Carney Chukwuemeka was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Metro
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Tottenham begin talks to sign £52m Chelsea star after Arsenal approach
Tottenham have made an initial approach to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, according to reports. The 27-year-old joined Chelsea in a £52 million deal from RB Leipzig in 2023 but his first season at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by knee, hip and hamstring injuries. Nkunku has been fully fit for the majority of this campaign, however, he has struggled to secure a regular role under Enzo Maresca, starting just nine games in the Premier League. For Chelsea's Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday evening, the French forward was an unused substitute with Maresca opting to bring on 19-year-old striker Marc Guiu in the closing stages instead. Nkunku had attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Arsenal in the January transfer window but Chelsea were demanding a transfer fee in excess of £50m. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. According to talkSPORT, Nkunku remains open to joining a rival Premier League side and Tottenham are the latest club to have made an enquiry ahead of the summer window. The report adds that Nkunku would also welcome the chance to join Bayern Munich, who completed the signing of Jonathan Tah on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen this week. More Trending Elsewhere, Chelsea look set to win the race to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. The 22-year-old, who scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season, is available due to a £30m release clause in his deal with Ipswich. Manchester United had also held extensive talks to sign Delap but the striker has now given the green light to Chelsea. Chelsea have also targeted Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, who is wanted by Arsenal. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Wesley Sneijder names 'perfect match' for Viktor Gyokeres after Chelsea talks MORE: Emmanuel Petit fears £30million transfer target won't break Chelsea 'curse' MORE: Paul Ince questions 'pathetic' Man Utd under Ruben Amorim: 'Jury is still out'
