Christopher Nkunku has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted "anything can happen" in the transfer market
Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku has been linked with Manchester United(Image: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca has opened the door for Christopher Nkunku to leave Chelsea during the summer window. Manchester United are interested in the Chelsea striker and Maresca could not give any guarantees on Nkunku’s future.
France International Nkunku, 27, joined from RB Leipzig for £52m two years ago but has struggled to hold down a regular place because of form and injuries.
It appears that Nkunku has fallen even further down the pecking order under Maresca who has championed new £30m signing Liam Delap.
Maresca admitted “anything can happen” and that is likely to give United further encouragement as they look for a new striker to lead their attack.
Chelsea boss Maresca said: “If Christo is here with us, it is because we think he can help us and he can be with us even next season. But as you said, there are many speculations, not just about Christo, about many players.
“And then if something is going to happen, I don’t know because we said many times when the transfer window is open, anything can happen in terms of players that can arrive or players that can leave.”
That was hardly a glowing endorsement for a player who started Chelsea’s final Group match with ES Tunis but finished it frustrated with a lack of chances.
Nkunku stepped up to take a second half penalty but the award for a soft handball decision was overturned by VAR and the ex-RB Leipzig striker lost his chance.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has opened the door to Nkunku leaving(Image: Carl Recine - FIFA via Getty Images)
That summed up a difficult trip for Nkunku who knows he is behind Delap and arguably Nicolas Jackson who was last season’s first choice centre forward.
Jackson, meanwhile, has had his ban extended for two games after being sent off against Flamengo and that means he will miss the last 16 tie with Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday.
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