Man United identify Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku as summer target

Manchester United have reportedly identified Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku as a striker target while exploring the possibility of signing the attacker this summer.

United have initiated talks with the Frenchman, with the player likely to leave Chelsea this summer after a disappointing campaign since moving to the Premier League.

Nkunku joined the Blues from RB Leipzig for a reported transfer fee of £52 million in 2023, but has since failed to live up to his pricetag.

According to L’Équipe, Manchester United are keen on signing Nkunku, who has since fallen out of favour under manager Enzo Maresca in the 2024/25 campaign.

The 27-year-old attacker could only manage 910 minutes on the pitch in the Premier League last season, while appearing in 33 league matches and starting in only nine of them.

The forward is now linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, as Maresca reshapes the squad ahead of the new season and prepares ahead of a busy season with Champions League football secured.

Christopher Nkuku for Chelsea — Christopher Nkunku for Chelsea. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The report adds that the Red Devils have initiated initial talks with the player’s representatives, although no concrete proposal has been submitted.

After completing the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, the club is now eyeing moves for more attackers to bolster their squad.

Aside from Nkunku, the club has also been linked with moves with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s sensation Hugo Ekitike.

Meanwhile, Gyokeres has reportedly turned down any future moves to Old Trafford to reunite with former manager Ruben Amorim, according to Sky Sports.

Nkunku, who is valued at £52 million ($70m), has attracted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal.

United are currently looking to strengthen the squad following their worst-ever season in the history of the club during the last campaign.

The club’s only recognised pair of strikers, Joshua Zirkzee (3) and Rasmus Hujlund (4), could only manage seven goals between themselves in the Premier League last season – calling for significant changes in that department of the squad.

Nkunku himself has failed to live up to his transfer value and expectations, and could welcome a move away to relaunch his career elsewhere.