Chelsea boss Graham Potter keeping track of French forward who scored 21 goals last season

Real Madrid trying to hijack deal for Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional (h/t Football. London), Real Madrid are trying to hijack a deal for talented French forward Christopher Nkunku with Chelsea said to have already reached an agreement with the RB Leipzig starlet.

One of the most highly-rated players in the Bundesliga in recent months, Nkunku is the subject of interest from many clubs. Chelsea were said to have reached an agreement with the player and even completed a medical but they are yet to finalise the deal.

It was revealed that the Blues hesitated to match the asking fee for the French forward and decided to wait for his release clause to be active. However, it now looks like Real Madrid are ready to match the release clause and could hijack this deal.

In 21 matches this season across all competitions for RB Leipzig, the former PSG youth star has scored 16 goals and provided two assists. This comes on the back of yet another excellent season, which was his breakthrough campaign in many ways.

Nkunku recently extended his contract with RB Leipzig until 2026 (Transfermarkt) but it is highly likely that the player does not stay in Germany beyond this season. There have even been calls for the player to move clubs in January and it is not an improbable scenario.

The 24-year-old is set to be a part of Didier Deschamps’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar 2022. He will be hoping to spearhead the midfield for the French team, especially in the absence of stalwarts like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante who are missing through injuries.

Nkunku will know that the entire world will be watching him for his performances in the World Cup and a good showing here could go a long way in establishing himself as one of the genuine world-class talents going around right now.

Chelsea however will know that Nkunku could receive a lot more offers and interest after the World Cup. A player who has a good time at the World Cup generally sees his valuation go up and there is a chance that the Blues will find it more difficult to sign the Frenchman.

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It remains to be seen how the future goes for Nkunku. One thing that is certain is that it will not be long before he leaves Leipzig. It remains to be seen which club ends up signing him though.