RB Leipzig would be interested in bringing former star and Chelsea player Christopher Nkunku back to Germany amid the English side's interest in Xavi Simons, the latest report has claimed.
The Blues' Premier League season will soon be underway, with the Londoners preparing to face Crystal Palace on August 17.
Boss Enzo Maresca's squad has been significantly strengthened this summer, spending nearly £250m on eight players.
The head coach will be expected to challenge for a spot in the top three, but despite improving his options, the Spanish manager is still reportedly keen on making further additions.
Florian Plettenberg claims that Leipzig are interested in bringing former star Nkunku back to the club, adding that a loan deal would be more likely than a permanent switch, and that transfer could help make the signing of attacker Simons more likely.
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku pictured in April 2025
Why Simons would be an upgrade on Nkunku
Simons is capable of operating from the left or in a central position, and his skillset is similar to that of Nkunku's, with both preferring to play between opposition defensive lines.
The 22-year-old scored 10 goals and provided six assists in the Bundesliga last term, though his tally of 16 direct goal involvements was three fewer than he managed in 2023-24.
Nkunku's time at Chelsea has not gone to plan, scoring just six league goals since joining the club in the 2023-24 season.
Many of the Frenchman's issues stem from the fact he has suffered a number of injuries at Stamford Bridge, missing 54 games since arriving.
Simons has only ever picked up one injury problem, with his ankle issue seeing him miss 15 matches in 2024-25, though he otherwise has proved robust.
RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons pictured on July 19, 2025
What are Chelsea's priorities in the summer transfer window?
Some Blues fans are concerned that the Londoners are not focusing on the right areas of the pitch given Maresca already boasts the likes of Jamie Gittens, who will want to claim a starting spot on the left flank.
Simons would be highly unlikely to displace Cole Palmer from his number 10 role, and playing the Leipzig man on the right would almost certainly be a waste of his talents.
Chelsea would arguably be better positioned to challenge for the Premier League title if they looked to sign centre-backs, especially as Levi Colwill has suffered an ACL injury.
Central defender Nathaniel Chalobah has also picked up an injury, and Maresca could be left light at the back unless the club bring in replacements for the duo.
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