Manchester United are interested in signing Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Nkunku has started the 2024-25 season in blistering form with 10 goals in 17 appearances.
But the France international’s game time has been limited almost entirely to Europa League and Carabao Cup games, starting just one match in the Premier League season – that coming on the opening day of the campaign in August.
Such is the size of Enzo Maresca’s squad, the Blues boss has been able to name an entirely different starting XI for midweek European games with Nkunku, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk among those whose playing time has been largely limited to that competition.
Cole Palmer remains first choice in Maresca’s Premier League XI with Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Nicolas Jackson also preferred in that settled attacking unit.
L’Equipe report that situation has left Nkunku unhappy with the forward now considering his future at Stamford Bridge.
United are named among the sides interested in signing the former RB Leipzig star. The club are exploring options in January with new manager Ruben Amorim officially taking charge at Old Trafford today.
Goals have been a major concern for United with Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City only the second time they have scored more than two in a game in the league all season.
The report adds Chelsea may be open to letting Nkunku leave in the New Year. While he has not informed Chelsea of his desire to leave, several clubs including United have begun sounding out his availability.
Nkunku has scored six goals in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League campaign this season, having started every game in that competition.
L’Equipe also report Nkunku had ‘no intention’ of joining Chelsea in 2023 to be a back-up option, playing in Europe’s third-best competition every week.
Nkunku came off the bench for the final two minutes in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, managing just 154 minutes of Premier League action this term.
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