Man Utd to launch offer for Chelsea target next week with Erik ten Hag backing move

Manchester United will launch an offer to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku next week after the forward was recommended to the club by Ralf Rangnick.

Major changes to the United squad are expected at Old Trafford this summer with as many as 10 players set to leave.

New manager Erik ten Hag, who was officially unveiled by the club this week, is understood to be keen on a central defender, two midfielders and a versatile forward to kick off his rebuild in Manchester.

A host of clubs across Europe including Chelsea are Real Madrid are interested in signing 24-year-old Nkunku, who was named Bundesliga Player of the Year after scoring 35 goals and providing 20 assists in all competitions this season.

And United hope to secure his signature ahead of their rivals by making their opening offer next week.

According to Sky Sports Germany, Nkunku’s representatives are already in contact with United with ten Hag backing the move.

RB Leipzig are reluctant to cash in this summer and could offer the France international a new contract that includes the incentive of a buyout clause, keeping him at the club for at least another year.

Nkunku however is said to be ‘hesitant’ over penning fresh terms with the German side.

While United seem set to make their move, Nkunku has not been on their radar long.

Reports earlier this season claimed interim boss Rangnick was left gobsmacked after learning the club’s scouting department had collected no data on the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster.

When Rangnick asked about the player and what sort of reports they had compiled on him, United’s recruitment team had no information and simply said that he ‘was not on their list’.

An aghast Rangnick believed that a club of United’s stature should