AC Milan Acquires Christopher Nkunku
AC Milan has reached an agreement to acquire forward Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea for a reported fee of €42 million (approximately $49 million), according to sources familiar with the situation. The deal also stipulates that Chelsea will receive a share of any future transfer fees involving Nkunku.
Nkunku’s Challenging Tenure at Chelsea
The 27-year-old has become expendable at Chelsea, which means he must now undergo a medical exam and finalize personal terms before the transfer is completed. This move marks the end of what has been a challenging two-year stint for Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for £52 million ($70 million) in 2023.
His initial season at Stamford Bridge was severely impacted by a serious knee injury sustained in a friendly match against Borussia Dortmund shortly after his arrival, leading to only 11 Premier League appearances during that campaign.
Last season, under coach Enzo Maresca, Nkunku’s situation did not improve as he continued to struggle for playing time, with the majority of his contributions coming in domestic cup competitions rather than league fixtures. Notably, he was absent from Chelsea’s squad during the opening two games of the current Premier League season, reflecting Maresca’s decision to exclude him from his plans.
Implications for Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy
This transfer will open up possibilities for Chelsea to pursue other signings ahead of the summer transfer window deadline on Monday. Reports indicate that the club is close to finalizing a £40 million ($54 million) move for Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. Chelsea is also interested in Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, but negotiations with RB Leipzig for the player, who is valued at €70 million ($81.65 million), have not yet resulted in an agreement.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur appears to be in a favorable position to secure Simons’s services, having received clearance for him to head to London to discuss potential terms, as reported by ESPN.
