Premier League club Chelsea has finally announced the signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig on Tuesday (June 20, 2023).
Chelsea had secured Nkunku’s services several months ago, and he had already undergone a medical examination.
Nkunku was planned to join Chelsea in the summer of 2023. Reportedly, The Blues acquired him from Leipzig for approximately €60 million.
Chelsea has signed Nkunku for a six-year contract, and he will officially join Stamford Bridge on July 1, 2023.
The announcement of Nkunku’s transfer has received various reactions from netizens. Check out their comments below.
“Welcome to the biggest club in London, Nkunku. Now bring my goalscorer in front of him.”
“Congratulations, Nkunku! Chelsea finally signed what they needed, not what they wanted. Hopefully, next season will be even better.”
“Better prepare those balloons, mate. He will pass through them quickly.”
The transfer of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig to Chelsea has been an open secret throughout the year, as he was reported to have completed his medical tests and agreed to move to Stamford Bridge since December. The Blues had to wait until the end of the 2022/23 season to activate his release clause worth £53 million, but now the transfer has been officially realized. Nkunku signed a contract with Chelsea until 2029, ending his four-year tenure with Leipzig.
The 25-year-old forward expressed his joy at officially joining Chelsea. He told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to join Chelsea. A great effort has been made to bring me to this club, and I am looking forward to meeting the coach and my new teammates and showing what I can do to the Chelsea fans.”
“After playing in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, now I want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited about this challenge and will proudly wear the Chelsea shirt.”
Chelsea’s sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, added: “Christopher has proven himself as one of the top attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will bring quality, creativity, and versatility to our squad. He has demonstrated his abilities at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France, and we can’t wait to see him join his new teammates ahead of the new season.”
Nkunku began his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2015 but moved to RB Leipzig four years later after struggling to get playing time at Parc des Princes. The French national team star has scored 70 goals and provided 56 assists in 172 appearances across competitions for the German club, winning two DFB-Pokal trophies. Nkunku has also earned 10 caps for the French national team, most recently coming on as a substitute in their 1-0 victory against Greece in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Tuesday (June 20), early morning WIB.
It is likely that Nkunku will not be the last new player to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, considering the new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has been tasked with overhauling Chelsea’s underperforming squad from the disastrous 2022/23 season. Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson is also reportedly getting closer to joining Chelsea, and the London giants are strongly linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and West Ham’s Declan Rice.
Another Chelsea player who is set to depart to Saudi Arabia is their forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
As it is known, Saudi Arabian clubs are undergoing significant expansion. They are bringing top world players to Saudi Arabia to play in their league.
One of the top players who is reported to move to Saudi Arabia is N’Golo Kante. The Chelsea defensive midfielder is said to have received an offer from Al-Ittihad to play in the Saudi Pro League.
According to Fabrizio Romano, another Chelsea player is set to move to Saudi Arabia. It is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The report states that Aubameyang is currently receiving several offers to move to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabian clubs need world-class strikers to strengthen their attacking line. Aubameyang is considered to have an impressive track record for that.
That’s why Aubameyang and his agent are currently studying the incoming offers before deciding which Arab club to move to.
Chelsea itself is reported not to hinder Aubameyang’s departure this summer.
The striker is not included in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the upcoming season. Therefore, he is welcome to find a new club.
Additionally, Chelsea wants to reduce their wage burden. Coincidentally, Aubameyang has a high salary, so they consider his departure to be a good solution.
The same report also claims that Aubameyang is not the only potential Chelsea player to move to Saudi Arabia.
Hakim Ziyech is also reportedly receiving offers to move to Al-Nassr in the upcoming season.
Premier League club Chelsea announced that they have officially acquired Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig on Tuesday (June 20, 2023).
Chelsea had long been pursuing Nkunku. They had also confirmed his move from Leipzig to Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku had undergone medical examinations about eight months ago. However, the French player wasn’t immediately brought to London.
He was allowed to continue playing for Leipzig. The plan is for Nkunku to join Stamford Bridge on July 1, 2023.
Chelsea finally announced Christopher Nkunku’s transfer on social media and their official website. They stated that Nkunku would be given a six-year contract.
“Chelsea is delighted to announce that Christopher Nkunku will join the club from RB Leipzig ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
“The 25-year-old, who has represented France 10 times, has agreed to a six-year contract that will begin on July 1.” This is how Chelsea’s statement reads on their official website.
Christopher Nkunku is naturally thrilled that he can finally join Chelsea. He expressed his eagerness to train and play with his new teammates.
“I am delighted to join Chelsea. A great effort has been made to bring me to the club, and I am looking forward to meeting the new coach and my teammates and showing the Chelsea fans what I can do on the field,” he said on Chelsea’s official website.
Nkunku also revealed that he has always wanted to play in the Premier League. He feels that it’s the right time for him to take on a new challenge after playing in France and Germany.
“After playing in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited about this challenge and will proudly wear the Chelsea shirt,” exclaimed Nkunku.
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, are also pleased with Christopher Nkunku’s arrival. They believe his presence will make The Blues stronger.
“Christopher has proven himself as one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity, and versatility to our squad,” they said.
“He has demonstrated his abilities at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France, and we look forward to him joining his new teammates ahead of the new season,” they concluded.
