Manchester United have only managed to complete one major signing so far this summer, while Premier League rivals Chelsea have already secured four significant acquisitions to boost their attacking strength.
Now, in a potential twist to the summer transfer window, both clubs could soon be involved in a deal involving French forward Christopher Nkunku.
United had shown strong interest in Nkunku during the winter transfer window, but Chelsea’s initial £70 million price tag proved to be a stumbling block.
However, recent reports from The Mirror reveal that the Blues have now dramatically slashed their asking price.
Manchester United have been informed that a deal can be struck for just £35 million — half the original fee — making the move much more feasible for the Old Trafford side.
The 27-year-old attacker had a difficult time last season under Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca, managing just nine starts in the Premier League and spending much of the campaign on the bench.
With Chelsea continuing to invest heavily in their forward line — having already signed Estevao and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens — Nkunku appears surplus to requirements and is now being made available for transfer.
A former Bundesliga standout, Nkunku made his name at RB Leipzig where he impressed with both his scoring and creative abilities.
He won the Bundesliga Golden Boot and scored an impressive 36 goals in 59 league matches across the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons.
Known for his technical brilliance, intelligent movement, and finishing prowess, Nkunku’s profile could suit Manchester United perfectly as they look to enhance their offensive capabilities.
One of Nkunku’s greatest strengths is his tactical flexibility. He is capable of playing in multiple attacking roles including second striker, false nine, traditional No. 10, or even out wide on the left.
This kind of versatility would be extremely valuable to Manchester United’s system, especially when combined with the creativity of Bruno Fernandes or the directness of Rasmus Højlund.
Given the reduced fee, the potential transfer is seen as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
At £35 million for a player entering his prime, United could find themselves securing a bargain — especially if Nkunku rediscovers the form he showed in Germany.
The Red Devils struggled with chance creation last season, finishing 8th in the Premier League in expected goals (xG).
With underwhelming contributions from players like Antony, Rashford, and Sancho, a player like Nkunku could bring a much-needed creative spark to the team.
However, there are valid concerns. Nkunku’s injury issues have been persistent. He missed large portions of the 2023–24 season due to knee and hamstring problems, and when he did play, he looked short of full fitness.
If his fitness problems continue, Manchester United risk ending up in a similar situation to Donny van de Beek — a highly skilled player whose career was derailed by injuries and inconsistent playing time.
At present, Nkunku is in the United States with Chelsea for the FIFA Club World Cup and has featured in four matches so far in the competition.
With Chelsea’s semi-final clash against Fluminense approaching, it remains to be seen whether Nkunku’s future will be resolved before or after the tournament.
Ultimately, if he can stay healthy and reach his top level again, Christopher Nkunku could prove to be a valuable and transformative addition to Manchester United’s attack.
