Liverpool are still in the race to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku despite reports he’s already had a Chelsea medical.
The French forward contributed 20 goals and 13 assists last season in the Bundesliga as Leipzig secured a fourth-placed finish and he’s carried on his good form into this campaign with four goals in seven games.
There were rumours over the summer that Nkunku would make a move away from Leipig but, to the shock of many fans, he renewed his contract at the club for an additional two years.
Arsenal and Liverpool seasons will be transformed by absolutely huge injury boosts
A €60m release clause was added to his new deal and German newspaper Bild reported earlier today that Nkunku had a medical with Chelsea in Frankfurt over the summer ahead of a potential transfer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea have “sent long term contract bid to Nkunku to prepare the deal for 2023” but that a transfer is “not done yet”.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs added a bit more meat to the bones on Friday and insisted that there is “nothing stopping other clubs circling”
Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Nkunku contracted at Leipzig until 2026 but when he signed a new two-year deal in June it was to protect his value & because he decided it was better to remain at Leipzig until after the World Cup. Lots of interest in him after 20 goals & 13 assists in the Bundesliga last season.
“For those seeking clarity: Nkunku’s medical can be seen as strong groundwork. But Chelsea would still need to trigger the release clause next summer or make a higher offer than it if they did want him in January.
“There is nothing stopping other clubs circling. But it gives Chelsea a big jump and they know Nkunku is keen. It also provides useful data.
“The next step is for Chelsea and Leipzig to agree on a deal or for Chelsea to commit to the release clause itself, which would mean only a summer move. #CFC would like to move fast to take other suitors out the equation hence their actions so far.”
And now RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins insists that Liverpool ‘are there too’ for Nkunku’s signature while German website Fussball Transfers insist that Liverpool and Real Madrid ‘are far from giving up’ on signing the France international.
But Fussball Transfers do claim that Chelsea are ‘confident’ they can get the deal over the line ahead of their rivals, who are also ‘pinning their hopes’ on Nkunku.