Christopher Nkunku is linked with a Chelsea exit this month as he struggles for Premier League minutes.

Chelsea will demand more than £60 million from Bayern Munich to green light the exit of Christopher Nkunku this month as rumours of an exit from Stamford Bridge gather pace.

That's according to Mail Sport with the Blues keen to drive a hard bargain on a day when it was confirmed Chelsea - and all 19 Premier League clubs - had not breached the Premier League profit and sustainability rules. Nkunku was signed from RB Leipzig for £52 million in 2023 and is contracted until 2029. A sale of more than £60 million would represent a healthy profit for the London club, a staggering fee given the player's lack of playing time so far this term.

The 27-year-old has plundered 13 goals in all competitions so far this season and has been in form in front of goal, but remains regularly absent from Enzo Maresca's starting XI in the Premier League. He has been afforded just 390 top flight minutes this season with 11 of his goals coming in cup competitions.

It was reported by The Express that Nkunku had ‘reached a full verbal agreement’ to join Bayern Munich with just the small matter of that final fee to be agreed between the two clubs. The fee could be less should Chelsea convince the German giants to send Mathys Tel in the opposite direction.

Enzo Maresca speaks out about rotation

Maresca has been ruthless when trimming down his Chelsea squad but, with just Nicolas Jackson as the other out-and-out centre-forward option, the sale of Nkunku would be a bold move. It is expected that should Bayern meet the Chelsea asking price, an exit would be sanctioned by the club.

The Chelsea valuation comes amid links with Napoli man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is said to be available for the same fee. Kvaratskhelia has also been linked with Liverpool.

Maresca this week spoke out about rotation in his side with several first team players struggling for minutes. He said: "The only thing I've said since the start is it's difficult to play games with so many attacking players. If Joao plays it means that Cole doesn't play, or if Joao plays he has to play with Cole together but it depends on the game.

"For me it's quite easy, we have three players that are more or less similar, Joao and Cole and Christo. Joao has played some games, Christo has played, they both played against Ipswich (a 2-0 defeat), they both played Southampton (5-1 win) and Leicester (2-1 win). In some games we can play with them all together but not every game."

Chelsea recall goalkeeper from loan

Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday that rising star Eddie Beach had been recalled from his loan spell at League One side Crawley Town amid a struggle for minutes and experience.

A club statement read: "Chelsea goalkeeper Eddie Beach has been recalled from his loan spell at Crawley Town. Beach joined the League One side in August and made two first-team appearances. The first came in the EFL Trophy and the second arrived in the FA Cup second round.

"The loan was the Wales Under-21 international’s third away from Chelsea, having previously spent time at Chelmsford City and Gateshead."

Beach provided competition for Joe Wollacott and Jasper Sheik at the Sussex club. He made a cameo in a Vertu Trophy group stage match against Brighton & Hove Albion’s U21 side as he saved the final penalty in the shootout to secure Crawley an extra point.

A Crawley Town statement said: “The club would like to thank Eddie for all of his efforts during his time at the club and would like to wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”