WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 27: Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea gestures during a Chelsea FC training session ahead of the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 27, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Boris Streubel - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Chelsea are said to have placed a £35m price tag on Christopher Nkunku (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have rejected a loan offer from Bayern Munich for Christopher Nkunku with Newcastle United re-entering the race, according to reports.
The west London club are keen to offload the 27-year-old Frenchman permanently before the summer window closes on September 1.
It’s thought that the Blues require player sales before they can make more new signings, with Chelsea keen to wrap up deals for Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.
German champions Bayern held talks with Chelsea over a move for Nkunku this weekend but their loan request was turned down.
Newcastle, Bayern and Inter all want Nkunku
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According to Marc Mechenoua, Bayern will now come back with a permanent transfer offer as they attempt to win the race for Nkunku.
It won’t be straightforward, though, with the French journalist claiming that Inter Milan and Newcastle are also both interested in recruiting Nkunku.
Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea FC applauds during the FIFA
Christopher Nkunku has played 62 games for Chelsea to date (Picture: Getty)
Nkunku, who plays as a forward or as an attacking midfielder, was put up for sale at Chelsea after the Blues signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
The France international joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £52m.
Nkunku has played 62 games for Chelsea to date, registering 18 goals and five assists.
FBL-EUR-C4-CHELSEA-TRAINING
Christopher Nkunku is wanted by three different clubs (Picture: Getty)
Who are the favourites to sign Nkunku?
It is believed that Nkunku was offered back to his former club Leipzig this summer as part of a swap deal for Simons but the player was not keen on a second stint with the Bundesliga side.
Bayern look to be the current favourites to land Nkunku, who view him as the ideal replacement for Kingsley Coman after his move to Al-Nassr.
But Newcastle are also keen on Nkunku as a potential alternative option if they cannot sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
Wissa is thought to be desperate to join Eddie Howe’s team but Newcastle and Brentford have been unable to agree on a price for the DR Congo international.
The Bees want £50m for Wissa after rejecting Newcastle’s opening offer of £30m for the 28-year-old.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are said to have placed a £35m price tag on Nkunku – but haven’t completely ruled out him staying at Stamford Bridge this summer either.
Nkunku is under contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2029 and could provide cover if Pedro or Delap get injured, especially if Nicolas Jackson is sold.
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