Chelsea have put Christopher Nkunku up for sale ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Stamford Bridge faithful had high hopes for Nkunku following his £52m move from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023.
Nkunku enjoyed a productive spell at Leipzig, being named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021-22 and finishing the next season as the league’s top goalscorer.
The former PSG forward was limited to just 14 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge as he struggled with injury issues.
Nkunku has had no such problems this term but has instead failed to produce the form he showed in Germany, scoring just three goals in the Premier League.
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The 27-year-old has found more joy in Europe but Chelsea fans have struggled to get overly excited by that form given the standard of the Europa Conference League.
Nkunku was linked with a move away from Chelsea in January – Bayern Munich and Manchester United were said to be interested in deals – but ended up staying put.
A summer move appears inevitable, however, as Nkunku has continued to struggle since the January window shut and was dropped from Chelsea’s matchday squad altogether at the weekend.
Enzo Maresca, who has repeatedly defended Nkunku, confirmed the Frenchman’s absence against Fulham was for ‘technical reasons’.
Maresca’s brutal decision convinced Chelsea fans that Nkunku would be on the move this summer and the club are ready to cash in, according to reports in France.
It is claimed Nkunku himself is keen to leave and return to Germany, where he enjoyed much more success, with Chelsea hoping to raise £35m from the summer sale.
The Sun, meanwhile, say Nkunku ‘knows his time is up’ at Chelsea and is assessing his options ahead of the summer.
It remains to be seen whether interested parties from January, including German giants Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Man United, remain keen to secure Nkunku’s signature.
Frank Leboeuf, the ex-Chelsea defender, recently warned Nkunku he had ‘no future’ at Stamford Bridge.
‘Christopher Nkunku has no future at Chelsea,’ Leboeuf told BetVictor Casino ahead of the European fixture. ‘It’s sad to see, because he is a player with so much talent.
‘He was outstanding for the French national team and RB Leipzig. But he hasn’t settled into the club and has been unfortunate with injuries.
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‘I was expecting a lot from Nkunku when he joined, but it just hasn’t happened for him. It’s a sad affair for the club, the fans and Christopher himself.
‘I think he must leave the club now; he will never settle at Chelsea and should look to move on.
‘I wish him all the best, and hope he rediscovers his form at another club because we’ve seen the magic he can produce.’
Nkunku will hope to return to Chelsea’s matchday squad this weekend when Everton visit Stamford Bridge.
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