Chelsea, Man Utd or Real Madrid? Nkunku may want to think carefully before RB Leipzig exit

French star is in demand 

RB Leipzig will be desperate to push on with their summer plans, as they look ahead to a future that may involve the Saxony side pushing for Bundesliga titles and reclaiming a stable footing in European football. However, to do that, they will almost certainly have to keep their star players. Which may prove difficult if Christopher Nkunku has anything to say about it. 

Earlier this month French publication L’Equipe reported that the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster had decided to draw a line under his time at Leipzig following three years of mixed success. Which may come as no great surprise to many football fans, who have watched Nkunku score 35 goals and rack up 20 assists in just 51 games and as a result find his name linked alongside some of Europe’s biggest clubs. 

RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs this summer

Which team would suit the French forward best? pic.twitter.com/hwn82FgUjC

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) May 26, 2022

Indeed, if Nkunku has decided that he wants to leave Leipzig this summer he will not only have to push for a move two years before his contract is due to expire and then make the difficult decision of what reportedly interested club to pick from. And while the allure of more money or brighter lights may be tempting, the 24-year-old talent may want to think carefully about his next steps at this crucial point in his career. 

England, Spain or France – Nkunku’s options this summer 

According to Sky Sports Germany, Nkunku is being hotly pursued by Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United, while the player has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in recent months too. However, there’s no clear roadmap for the winger to succeed at any of these clubs. 

For example, Man Utd already have a number of wide forwards that player in Nkunku’s position and as Jadon Sancho unfortunately illustrated with his move to Old Trafford last summer, it’s very hard to nail down a starting role at the club and then succeed with all the drama and commission surrounding the first team at the moment. Similarly, Chelsea may have high hopes of signing Nkunku, but the France international may wish to wait until other forwards like Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic are sold or loaned out. 

Is it true that Bayern Munich just buy all their players from other Bundesliga clubs?

Well, yes and no… pic.twitter.com/iclC4x98Iu

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) May 12, 2022

A similar issue would undoubtedly await Nkunku at Bayern too, where the Bavarian giants are already struggling to keep three wingers in Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry happy with game time in just two positions. The latter, Gnabry, has been heavily linked with a departure from the Munich side, but if Nkunku were to replace the Germany international he may find himself slotting straight into his predecessor’s frustrating role. 

Man Utd
Chelsea
Bayern Munich

There’s a very good reason why Europe’s biggest clubs want to sign Christopher Nkunku this summer pic.twitter.com/Ip6ESap3eu

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) May 11, 2022

Madrid offer a different type of problem but one that could prove to be just as troublesome. With Kylian Mbappé now staying at PSG, Nkunku has reportedly been lined up as a potential plan B. And when you consider the way the RB Leipzig star scores and creates his goals, that certainly makes plenty of sense. However, such a signing would also mean that Nkunku would be judged by the opportunity cost of not signing Mbappe. And that’s a shadow that the young player would never be able to crawl out from beneath. 

Whether Nkunku does want to leave his club for new adventures this summer remains to be seen, but if the player did become available to sign in the coming months he’ll surely have no shortage of options. Now, for a 24-year-old talent who could seemingly achieve anything in the game, the question is whether or not he’ll make the right choice for his career. 

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