Chelsea 'willing' to sell £52m disgruntled 'best player' with Man Utd named as potential suitors

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku could be ready to quit Stamford Bridge as he struggles for game time under new manager Enzo Maresca this season, according to a new report in The Telegraph.

The outlet reports that the 26-year-old was the subject of an 'enquiry' from Premier League rivals Manchester United this summer but that transfer link never led to an official approach from the Red Devils. Nkunku stayed at Chelsea to fight for his place but is now 'frustrated' with the opportunities being afforded to him.

Nkunku has made 17 appearances for the Blues this term and bagged 10 goals but has been trusted to start just one Premier League fixture. That was the season opener against Manchester City.

Chelsea ‘willing’ to sell £52m striker

The majority of the striker's minutes have come in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup, which is not thought to be enough to make the player want to stay in West London.

Chelsea forked out a big £52 million to sign Nkunku from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 but injuries have hampered the player's development. He managed just 516 minutes last season with three goals to his name.

Nicolas Jackson, who has scored six Premier League goals so far this season, has cemented his role as first choice in the striker starting berth. The Telegraph report adds that Chelsea we 'willing' to listen to offers for Nkunku, who still has four years on his current deal, but will want to make the £52 million fee back in full - with 'several suitors' interested.

Maresca knows Nkunku deserves better

Speaking about the striker to the Chelsea official website last week, Maresca admitted Nkunku was one of the side's 'best players' but didn’t fit in to his current system. He said: "Christo, every time he plays, he scores, and he does well. Also, he was probably our best player in pre-season, no doubt.

"He was playing then as an attacking midfielder and now we are using him as a nine, which we all know isn’t his position, he’s more a second striker or between the lines.

"But I try to find a solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position, they have to adapt a bit. It’s for Joao, Christo, Misha [Mudryk, who Maresca was also asked about], they are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League, but there are also more players who deserve that."

Manchester Untied have emerged as early frontrunners to pursue a deal for the striker given their summer interest but the change of management could curtail any interest. Ruben Amorim is now in charge at Old Trafford but has already been told that one Arsenal and Chelsea linked transfer target that plays in the same position as Nkunku isn't interested in a move to Old Trafford.