Chelsea are said to be one of numerous interested parties looking at a deal for Christopher Nkunku in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old has scored 30 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig this season - making him one of European football's hottest properties right now.
"Christopher has no weaknesses. He is young and still wants a lot more," former Leipzig boss and now Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch said in September 2021. "It's always a good thing when a young player listens to the things we say and also wants to implement them. Working with him is a lot of fun as he is really intelligent and has a lot of potential."
The Frenchman is very versatile. In fact, Nkunku has played all across the front line for the German club this season, including as a central striker - where he has his highest average rating, via WhoScored.
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It cannot come as a shock that he is being looked at all around Europe. Footmercato reported in March that Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all keeping an eye on his situation at the Red Bull Arena. Manchester United have since been credited with an interest in the talented Frenchman, too.
Chelsea could have a key advantage over Man United in the race to sign Nkunku, though. According to SportBild, United are very interested in the Leipzig star, but there could be a real problem. If the Manchester-based club do not qualify for UEFA Champions League football next season, then Nkunku would not be open to moving to Old Trafford.
As things stand, with United taking on Liverpool in a crunch Premier League clash this evening (Tuesday), Ralf Rangnick's side are fifth in the table, level on points with Arsenal, but the Gunners have played a game less. United are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with the same amount of matches played.
Chelsea, of course, still need to cement a place in this season's top four, with eight games of the campaign remaining for the Blues. Thomas Tuchel's side are in a strong position at the moment, though.
In an interview with L'Equipe earlier in the season, Nkunku cast doubt over his future at Leipzig. "A lot can happen between now and the summer.
"It would be disrespectful to the club to think about it now. At the end of the season, I will sit down with the club, with my advisor and my family and make a decision."
Nkunku has just over two years remaining on his contract with the Bundesliga outfit, but the club's CEO Oliver Mintzlaff recently insisted he would be playing his football at the Red Bull Arena next term. "Christopher Nkunku will still be playing with us next season," he said.
Where would Nkunku fit in at Chelsea?
Tuchel has a wealth of options at his disposal at Stamford Bridge. Here's a list of the current attackers who can play just off the striker or in the central role: Kai Havertz, Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech.
As previously referred to in the article, Nkunku can play virtually anywhere in attack. With the future of Lukaku far from certain right now, he could be used as a central striker.
Havertz has flourished recently in the role, but there's always the option of pushing the German back to play behind the centre-forward or, perhaps, vice-versa and have Nkunku playing just off Havertz.
Werner has done really well in recent games, but there still could be question marks over his future, especially if he is unable to keep up his resurgence in the Chelsea side. Nkunku is a special player, and the fact he boasts the ability to play in so many different positions at such a high level will surely appeal to Tuchel.
The speed and directness Nkunku offers can help Chelsea as well. He rarely loses possession and has been used in a Leipzig system that presses intensely to win the ball back. He ticks all the boxes.
