Chelsea may have moved a step closer to securing a long-term transfer target, despite the player in question having only signed a new contract at their current club over the summer.
Having already spent more than £250million in the summer window, Todd Boehly has made his intentions clear as day, there's no bluffing, he's here to be serious. Now consider the number of players Chelsea weren't able to sign that they happily would have added in the window.
Jude Bellingham was scouted out as an outside chance of luring him to SW6 one summer early to avoid a mass bidding war, Edson Alvarez was subject to a £40million offer late in the window, Anthony Gordon was sought after and £40million was laid down for him, further reports indicate that initial offers were made with Raphael Leao too.
READ MORE: Seven forgotten Chelsea stars Graham Potter must turn to amid Premier League fixture chaos
Although parts of this can be considered transfer due diligence, engaging in first talks and opening conversations, Boehly's all-guns blazing approach was interesting to watch from a distance and perhaps, after being heavily criticised by some for his logic, he is now proving people wrong.
One name not mentioned as much in the second half of the window after signing a new contract until 2026 was Christopher Nkunku. The French attacker for RB Leipzig has been in some of the most inspired form in Europe and was attracting the eyes of both Chelsea and Arsenal with football.london understanding he has been looked at by the Blues for a while.
The 24-year-old was subject to interest but ended up extending his deal, though it is believed there could be a £56million release clause for him next summer. In anticipation of this, Bild Germany are writing that the forward has even had a 'secret medical' at Stamford Bridge.
If this is true then the cat is very much out of the bag now but it does demonstrate the shrewdness in which Boehly has operated so far.
His decision to send Wesley Fofana to an American specialist for a medical despite having state of the art facilities at Cobham made more sense once medical chief Paco Biosca departed the club. Chelsea may well have used the same group to conduct an early and covert piece of work with Nkunku to help secure a future move.
In the report it is stated that he underwent a cardiological medical and also saw an orthopedist. If true and advancements have been made with Leipzig, who have since signed Benjamin Sesko, adding to the belief that Nkunku may be available in the not so distant future.
Chelsea repeated a similar trick in 2017 when trying to sign Ross Barkley. The Everton midfielder conducted a late medical but backed out of signing for Chelsea despite a deal being agreed between the clubs for £30million. Barkley would then sign for a reduced fee of £15million six months later with his contract expiring.
If Chelsea can pull a similar trick to lower the price for Nkunku and offer him more incentives in the meantime then it will be a welcome deal and one that demonstrates the cunning tactics Boehly is willing to use in order to push his new club on.
READ NEXT:
Reece James picks out his best-ever Chelsea match and what needs to change under Graham Potter
Graham Potter receives major N'Golo Kante injury boost ahead of Crystal Palace vs Chelsea clash
AC Milan suffer fresh injury blow with six star players now set to miss Chelsea clash
Graham Potter slammed for shock Raheem Sterling use ahead of Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
