Manchester United have been linked with a move for Christopher Nkunku, but the RB Leipzig star has dropped a huge hint which suggests he could be holding out for a move to Paris Saint Germain.
Nkunku had a stunning campaign for Leipzig, and was rewarded with the Bundesliga player of the season award. His 20 goals and 13 assists in 36 league games saw him beat the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland to the award.
But United's pursuit may be short lived, as the Frenchman has opened up about his future. And it looks as though Nkunku is destined for a move to PSG, instead of Old Trafford.
When asked about his future, Nkunku said: "Paris is my home, my favourite club. I don't close any doors. Everything is possible in football. It's nice to have the biggest clubs in the world interested in me. But it's also great to see that Leipzig are doing everything to keep me."
Nkunku's dream to join PSG may have been boosted by the fact that Kylian Mbappe has decided to sign a new deal at the club. Nkunku originally played for PSG, as the midfielder came through the club's academy before being sold to Leipzig in 2019.
Nkunku's class was never up for debate, but he wasn't quite ready when PSG were looking to build the ultimate Champions League winning side. And he has now started to the reach the potential that everyone expected, with a breakthrough season at Leipzig.
His heroics helped Leipzig reach the semi-finals of the Europa League, and after suffering an awful finish in the Bundesliga last season, his impact helped inspire a fourth-placed finish.
United were heavily linked with Nkunku, and reports only intensified after former Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick joined the club. But the German has since decided to leave the club and not take on a consultancy role, which could diminish the chances of Nkunku ending up in a United shirt.
Whoever comes in for Nkunku will have to pay a huge fee as the star is under contract until 2024. And the German side can expect to make considerably more than the £11million they spent just three years ago.
United were rumoured to be one of the frontrunners to sign Nkunku, but his recent comments have come as a huge blow to their hopes of signing the Frenchman. And now new United boss Erik ten Hag may have to look elsewhere, as Leipzig are reluctant to let him leave the club.
The German side are desperate to keep him at Leipzig, and Nkunku may stay for another season to allow interest to heighten even more. But with Lionel Messi getting older, he could be a young replacement for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner in the future.
United have reportedly offered Ten Hag a £120m transfer budget, with more funds expected to arrive from players yet to be sold. But they may have to remove Nkunku from their plans and refocus elsewhere.
