Chelsea 'planning' to sign £56m Frenchman 'next year' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea could find it difficult to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku next summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Blues were one of several sides linked with a move for the 24-year-old before he signed a new contract with his current employers but that has only temporarily put an end to the speculation surrounding his future.

At the start of the transfer window, German outlet Sport Bild claimed that Leipzig chiefs would be reluctantly willing to sanction the sale of Nkunku if their €75 million (£64m) valuation was met.

However, the France international then put pen to paper on fresh terms, committing his future to the Bundesliga outfit until 2026.

Yet GOAL have reported that Nkunku’s new deal includes a €65m (£56m) release clause that can be triggered from the summer of 2023, meaning there is likely to be a hotly contested tussle for his signature.

The likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea were credited with an interest in the versatile attacker previously and could revive their pursuits in under a year’s time.

Jones has informed GiveMeSport that German giants Bayern Munich are also in race for Nkunku’s signature, though, meaning the west London outfit have a ‘tricky’ task on their hands.

He said: “Lots is being said about Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea for next year, and it is good that they are planning, but this one is going to be tricky as I have been told for a while that there is a very good chance Bayern Munich move for him too.

“And they usually get what they want in the Bundesliga.”

Nkunku enjoyed an outstanding 2021/22 for Leipzig, registering 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 appearances, firing them to a third-place finish in the league and DFB-Pokal glory, with Jesse Marsch