Man Utd ‘contact Chelsea star’ as Bryan Mbeumo transfer plans become clear | Football | Sport
Manchester United have reportedly begun talks with Chelsea over the transfer of forward Christopher Nkunku. The French international is under contract until 2029, but has been linked with a move away after struggling for game time under Enzo Maresca.
The 27-year-old joined the London club from RB Leipzig in 2023 for a £52million fee. However, form and fitness issues have hindered his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring just 17 times in 57 club appearances. The arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich has seen the star fall further down the pecking order in the club’s attacking ranks, and he’s been deployed on the bench in both of their Club World Cup games so far.
United are yet to submit a bid for Nkunku, with the Blues unlikely to sanction a cut-price deal given that four years remain on his contract. He’s also courted interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, a factor that the London club are likely to use as a negotiating tactic.
If United manage to snare both Mbeumo and Nkunku, the combined spend is likely to be upward of £100m. That figure, however, is likely to be offset by sales, with Amorim set to let a number of stars go this summer.
Exits for both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho appear inevitable after they returned to Manchester following loan spells elsewhere. Alejandro Garnacho also looks certain to be sold after his latest controversy. The Argentine was seen on social media posing in an Aston Villa shirt.
Any deal for Nkunku is unlikely to be completed until next month, given Chelsea‘s participation in America. The Blues need a result against African side ES Tunis to have any chances of making the group stages following their 3-1 loss to Flamengo on Friday.
