Arsenal’s failure to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku continues to come back to bite them amid renewed links with the Frenchman.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has long been reported to be a major target for the Gunners and that is no different ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, with his hot form continuing to catch the eye.
With his brace for Leipzig against Hertha BSC on Sunday, it takes his stunning record to 22 goals and 13 assists in just 33 appearances in all competitions - by far and away the most productive season of his career.
Whilst Arsenal are seemingly aiming to seal a deal for his services some time in the near future, Nkunku could potentially have become a Gunner sooner with the north Londoners having attempted to seal a deal during Unai Emery’s time in charge.
As reported by football.london at the time, Arsenal were hopeful of sealing the forward’s services on a loan deal, with Nkunku then with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
In the end, a deal did not come to fruition due to the Ligue 1 outfit failing to find a replacement for him.
He only ended up staying in Paris until the end of the 2018/19 campaign before sealing a permanent move to the Red Bull Arena, where he has since gone on to make 117 appearances in all competitions.
Should Arsenal attempt to secure a move though it appears that they would have to pay far more than they would have had to in 2019.
At the time of his switch to the Bundesliga, Nkunku was valued at just £13.5m but due to his highly impressive performances in Germany, he is now worth far more than that. His current transfermarkt valuation sits at £49.5m - just under four times his original valuation.
Whilst there is just two-and-a-half years remaining on the Frenchman’s current deal, Arsenal have however been fired a warning over a deal.
Former Gunners head of scouting Sven Mislintat has already confirmed his intentions to keep the forward.
Speaking to Sky Deutschland, he said: “He [Nkunku] will also play with us next season because of course he is a very important player.
“In football nothing is ever certain, but that's our plan.
“Of course, players like Dani Olmo, Nkunku or Andre Silva are very, very important pillars who can and should continue to develop with us.
“We don't have many players who can leave us in the summer. We want to strengthen the team rather than weaken it.”
