Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is reportedly attracting the attention of six clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
With Enzo Maresca having shown preference to using Nicolas Jackson down the centre of his attack, Nkunku has remained on the periphery of Premier League action throughout this campaign.
Just nine starts and 18 substitute outings have been made in the 2024-25 top flight, with the France international only contributing three goals and two assists and largely looking ineffective.
Given that it has become clear that he does not fit Maresca’s system, it is highly likely that the 27-year-old will be allowed to move elsewhere between June and September.
According to The Sun, there are as many as six teams from three different nations that are monitoring the situation.
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Which clubs intend to enter Nkunku race?
The report alleges that Manchester United are among the clubs who intend to express an interest in acquiring Nkunku’s services.
Furthermore, each of Liverpool and Arsenal see value in attempting to give Nkunku the opportunity to kick-start his time in the Premier League.
A fourth English top-flight team – West Ham United – are also ready to get involved, likely with the promise of a certain starting spot in the Hammers attack.
Nevertheless, it is also claimed that European giants Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have identified Nkunku as a potential addition.
From Chelsea’s perspective, they are highly unlikely to get close to recouping the £52m that they shelled out when signing the versatile attacker from RB Leipzig, realistically putting them in a position where loan deals will need to be considered.
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Which club would be best destination?
Given how Nkunku has struggled as a number nine in the Premier League, the general consensus may be that whoever is prepared to play him in a deeper role or as a number 10 will get the best out of him.
Ruben Amorim may view Nkunku as an ideal option for his 3-4-2-1 formation, although Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha is in line to be prioritised unless he is viewed as a number nine by the Portuguese.
Nkunku would likely be viewed as someone to feature at the tip of the attack at Liverpool and Arsenal, while Graham Potter may be prepared to work his system around Nkunku if he were to move to the London Stadium.
PSG are one of Nkunku’s former clubs, yet he would not be guaranteed a starting role in Luis Enrique‘s team, but he could get regular action at Atletico with Diego Simeone using a 4-4-2 formation.
