Chelsea want to keep Christopher Nkunku despite growing interest in former RB Leipzig frontman

Chelsea want to keep forward Christopher Nkunku despite growing interest from abroad.

Nkunku is under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2029, having signed a six-year deal upon his arrival from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023.

Chelsea paid Leipzig £52million for Nkunku, who has so far delivered 15 goals in 41 appearances for the Blues, mostly as a substitute.

Reports in Spain recently claimed that Barcelona were on Nkunku’s long list of overseas admirers.

Closer to home, Manchester United have also been linked with a possible move for the 27-year-old.

Chelsea boss Maresca was asked by reporters earlier this season if Nkunku was unhappy at his lack of playing time.

Nkunku has scored 15 goals in 41 matches for the Blues, including a hat-trick against Barrow

Manager Enzo Maresca said earlier this season that Nkunku was ‘absolutely not’ up for sale

Maresca replied: ‘Not at all. I spoke with Christo days ago – he did not say he is not happy.’

After declaring that Nkunku was ‘absolutely not’ up for sale, Maresca added: ‘The problem with Christo, not the problem but the same issue we have mentioned many times; if you play with Cole [Palmer], Joao [Felix], Christo, Jadon [Sancho] or Noni [Madueke] – who is defending? Their skill is not defending. The last game, we tried with Joao and Cole together.

‘Probably the best moment for Christo with us has been in pre-season, playing in his position. Since we started, he is playing as a nine for us. Against City, he played as a winger; knowing this is not his best position. His best position is as a 10 but Cole is playing there. We need balance.’