News on Thursday night broke that Chelsea had taken secret steps to gain the upper hand in the Christopher Nkunku transfer race amid Liverpool threat.
BILD Sport reported that Chelsea had held a 'secret medical' in Germany with the 24-year-old at Stamford Bridge in recent times ahead of making a summer transfer to the Premier League. football.london understood that Thomas Tuchel was keen on the Frenchman in the summer but he decided to sign a new deal in the end on improved terms.
However, a £56million release clause has been touted around being in this new deal meaning Todd Boehly wasted no time in trying to make his move early amid transfer threats, especially from Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
It's being reported that the Reds are confident about landing the RB Leipzig star who has netted four times in the first seven Bundesliga games, with a current xG (expected goals) rate early in 2022/23 of 2.9 and xA (expected assists) rate of 1.0, as per FBref.com.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly plots double RB Leipzig raid to secure Chelsea transfer foundation for Graham Potter
Whilst Chelsea isn't his confirmed destination, it's looking increasingly likely that West London will be his eventual outcome due to the extra effort Boehly is putting into this situation, just like he's planning to do with midfielder Jude Bellingham.
On top of Nkunku, the likes of Rafael Leao and other forwards have been pursued behind the scenes but it is highly doubtful with the uncertain midfield situation amid N'Golo Kante and Jorginho concerns that multiple attackers will be on the agenda this summer. There are reports that up to three new central midfielders could be signed once the budget is assigned.
With all of this taken into consideration, football.london takes a look at Graham Potter's best attack for 2022/23 once this prospective £56m transfer was to eventually go through.
The key question with Nkunku playing up front is whether or not he pushes Aubameyang to the bench or whether the Gabon international moves out wide and plays on the wing, just like he did with Mikel Arteta in his later Arsenal days.
With such big money being touted around here, the RB Leipzig number 18 would most likely start in the number 9 position. Out wide alongside Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling would occupy the opposite flank.
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech could push for moves away if their situations don't improve. Callum Hudson-Odoi may comeback to take a squad slot and Armando Broja would be the back-up striker on the bench, competing with Nkunku.
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