Chelsea remain locked in talks with Bayern Munich over Christopher Nkunku, and there is cautious optimism that a deal can be struck.
The Frenchman has been looking to leave Stamford Bridge since January, but there is still no agreement for his departure in the middle of August. This is due to Chelsea’s demands: in January, they wanted €70 million; now they are asking for €50m.
Bayern baulked at this asking price in the winter, and they remain reluctant to pay up even at a reduced price. Nkunku, for his part, is keen on the move. He agreed terms with the Bundesliga champions in January, and both parties remain on the same page.
Club-to-club negotiations are holding up this deal. Talks have taken place on a daily basis for the past week, but Bayern continue to search for a breakthrough, having initially tried to secure Nkunku on loan.
Neither Chelsea nor the player was keen on this, though, leading to the deal being on the verge of collapse on Sunday. However, discussions restarted on Monday as everyone involved wants to get this transfer over the line.
Cautious optimism over Nkunku deal
The fact that all parties are pulling in the same direction is cause for optimism. Concessions may have to be made, but transfer insider Florian Plettenberg believes that this move will get done.
“I believe in this deal, I still think it’s possible,” Plettenberg said on Monday evening. “Now, we have to wait and see if Chelsea will cave.” According to the reporter, Nkunku is excited by the prospect of returning to the Bundesliga after his successful stint at RB Leipzig.
Chelsea are hellbent on a permanent sale because they need the funds from Nkunku to sign Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho. Talks with Leipzig and Man Utd are taking place, but the Blues will not proceed with these signings unless players leave.
More clubs are interested in Nkunku, but out of the Frenchman’s many suitors, Bayern are among the most likely to match – or at least come close to matching – Chelsea’s demands. Plus, the agreement on personal terms means that this move could be finalised swiftly if the clubs can strike a deal.
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