Christopher Nkunku: RB Leipzig midfielder edges closer to Chelsea move - what are his career stats?

RB Leipzig and France midfielder Christopher Nkunku is edging closer to a move to the Premier League.

Reports are suggesting that the former Paris Saint Germain midfielder, who moved to the Bundesliga side in 2019 has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea.

Matt Law, a journalist for The Telegraph said that after all but securing Nkunku’s signature, Chelsea will now shift their attention to Croatian central defender Josko Gvardiol, also from Leipzig.

David Ornstein, a football correspondent for The Athletic, tweeted “Christopher Nkunku is understood to have signed a pre-contract agreement to join Chelsea next summer”.

The 24-year-old lit up world football in the 2021/2022 season as he scored 20 goals in 34 appearances in the league, leading to interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs.

Liverpool, Arsenal and more were all reportedly interested in the midfielder, but it seems he has chosen Chelsea as his next club.

What is the fee for Nkunku?

Chelsea are still negotiating the fee for Nkunku, who cost RB Leipzig a little over £13 million three years ago.

It’s reported that Leipzig want over £50 million, but, according to Get French Football News, Chelsea have prepared a plan B, which would see them pay the €60 million release clause which becomes active in summer 2023.

What are Christopher Nkunku’s career stats?

Nkunku didn’t start to properly flourish until the 2020/2021 season, where he had 11 goal contributions in the Bundesliga.

In his first two seasons with PSG, he managed just one goal and four assists from 13 games.

He improved in the 17/18 season, scoring four and setting up three in 20 games in Ligue 1 and went one better the next season, contributing to eight goals in 18/19.

Then, in Nkunku’s first season with RB Leipzig he managed another eight goal contributions from 32 games.

He improved the next season, picking up 11 goal contributions in the 2020/2021 season, his first season where reached double figures.

But then, last season is where he truly made his mark and exploded. He scored 20 goals from 32 appearances in the league, getting a further six assists. He also performed exceptionally in the Champions League, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances.

He has also started this current season in the same form, and currently has six goals and an assist in the Bundesliga from eight games.