Inter Milan have reportedly reached out to Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku’s agent to talk about a possible move for the French international. This is in case their main target, Ademola Lookman, is too hard to get from Atalanta.
The Nerazzurri’s main goal is still Lookman, but talks have stalled, so the team is looking at other options. Nkunku has become the best backup plan, and club directors Piero Ausilio and Giuseppe Marotta are now thinking about whether or not a deal is possible.
Chelsea didn’t want to let Nkunku go at first, but now they are willing to do so. They value the player at about £43.3 million (€50 million), which is a big drop from the £65 million figure that was mentioned earlier in the window.
But Inter has a big problem: Nkunku wants a lot of money. The forward makes about £195,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, which is a lot more than what Inter usually pays new players. This gap in finances is a problem. Nkunku is not likely to take a big pay cut unless he is promised a key role in Simone Inzaghi’s squad, unlike Lookman, who has been flexible about personal terms.
Nkunku Set to Leave Chelsea After Failing to Meet Expectations
Nkunku came to Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for about £52 million, but he hasn’t been able to make a consistent impact in West London. He has only scored 18 goals and set up five others in 62 games across all competitions because of injuries, including a knee problem and a hamstring strain later on.
Even with these problems, the 27-year-old is still a very talented and flexible player. Nkunku could return to his best when he adds style, quick passing, and goal-scoring instincts to Inter’s attacking rotation with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.
If Chelsea and Inter can agree on both the fee and the wage structure, the deal could pick up steam later in the window. The move is still a backup plan, but it could quickly become more serious depending on how the Lookman situation plays out.