Aston Villa Morgan Rogers
Credit: Imago
Evan Shaw
Sun 31 August 2025 7:10, UK
Aston Villa could be about to launch a late move to sign Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku.
The attacker has fallen badly out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is yet to feature in a matchday squad for the Blues so far this season.
Villa have already made contact over Nkunku, but plenty of other clubs have also shown an interest in the Frenchman.
Unai Emery and Co. are pushing to secure another couple of additions in the final days of the window, and the outcast Chelsea star could be a perfect option.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks confused in the dugout.
Credit: Imago
This article includes exclusive comment from former Aston Villa scout Bryan King.
Christopher Nkunku deal to cause unrest at Aston Villa
Villa’s pursuit of Nkunku has been dealt a blow after AC Milan held talks over a move for the 27-year-old.
His lofty wage demands are likely to cause an additional concern for the interested parties, as the former RB Leipzig star understood to be earning around £195,000-per-week, according to Capology estimates.
Player Weekly Wage
Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Emi Martinez £150,000
Donyell Malen, Amadou Onana £140,000
Ollie Watkins £130,000
Philippe Coutinho £125,000
Lucas Digne, John McGinn £120,000
Villa’s highest earners, as per Capology estimates.
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That could see him become the new highest earner at Villa Park if a deal could be agreed, even if it centred around an initial loan deal.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that Nkunku’s arrival could provide frustration for some of the key players within Emery’s squad.
“He (Nkunku) could maybe be a good signing on loan with the option to buy,” King said.
“I’d imagine it would make him the highest-paid player at Villa, and that could cause unrest with the likes of (Morgan) Rogers, (Ollie) Watkins and (Emi) Martinez.
“They’ve got to be very careful here Villa, they haven’t had a good start.
“I think you’re inciting problems at a football club when your best players are on less money than a player that you’re going to bring in.”
Christopher Nkunku playing for Chelsea in the Conference League
Credit: Imago
Villa should steer clear of Christopher Nkunku
Villa’s late pursuit of Nkunku has also come alongside them eyeing up last-minute deals for several other targets.
Lucas Paqueta and Nicolas Jackson are also being linked with a switch to B6, and would both be better options than Nkunku.
The forward has been far from impressive in the Premier League and it wouldn’t be sensible for Villa to make such a significant financial commitment towards a player who has badly struggled for form recently.
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