Chelsea ‘seal’ £35m striker transfer with documents already ‘signed’

Chelsea are said to have agreed a deal to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku.

The 25-year-old has proved a hot property over recent times following umpressive form with Leipzig, 43 goals in 109 league appearances following his 2019 move from Paris Saint Germain. Chelsea have a striker crisis currently, with Romelu Lukaku on loan and unlikely to return, while Armando Broja has been ruled out until the end of the season following a crushing injury blow.

The signing of Nkunku is not going to solve those issues in the short-term, but he will long-term, reportedly agreeing to join from the end of the season. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nkunku has agreed to join from the end of the current season, becoming a Chelsea player in July.

Romano tweeted: “Christopher Nkunku deal, signed and sealed — here we go now confirmed. All documents and contracts are also signed, it’s 100% closed. #CFC French striker can be considered new Chelses player, starting from July 2023. It’s all signed/sealed with RB Leipzig and player side.”

Nkunku is set to cost Chelsea £35million, which will be seen as a bargain given the striker was locked into a contract until 2026 and attracting plenty of interest from around Europe. That’s particularly been the case this season, with the Frenchman scoring 12 goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances so far this term, also netting three times in six Champions League outings.

Nkunku will add much-needed strength and depth for Chelsea when he does arrive, but there’s no doubting that the Blues need a striker in the short-term. Pierre-Emerick Aibameyang was snapped up late in the summer, but even after his arrival the Blues looked short of options. With Broja now sidelined, Chelsea have a significant issue up top, and Graham Potter will know he needs a solution in January to get by until Nkunku does arrive.