Christopher Nkunku ‘has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea’

REVEALED: Christopher Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea after the Leipzig star had a medical with the Blues last month… and Todd Boehly is committed to paying his £53m release clause

Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku has reportedly signed a pre-contractual agreement with Chelsea after having a secret medical with the Blues last month.

The French midfielder has emerged as Chelsea’s next top transfer target already despite a busy summer outlay of £272million that saw them bring in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana.

And while Nkunku is not expected to arrive until next summer, the Blues have a deal in place for him to join Stamford Bridge, according to the Athletic, with owner Todd Boehly happy to pay his full release clause of £53m now to ensure they steal a march on their rivals. 

Owner Todd Boehly is looking to steal a march on their rivals

Christopher Nkunku has reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea as owner Todd Boehly (R) looks to steal a march on their rivals

The Frenchman managed 55 goal contributions in just 52 games in all competitions last season

The Frenchman managed 55 goal contributions in just 52 games in all competitions last season

Last week Sportsmail revealed that Nkunku had undergone medical tests in Frankfurt in September ahead of a possible move to Chelsea alongside a a Blues orthopedist.

And as the Blues look to speed up the deal – which they hope to have in place for next season – they now have an agreement with the player, with the report claiming they have overcome a challenge from their English rivals by moving quickly.  

The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign last season as he scored 35 goals and set up 20 more in 52 appearances in all competitions during a sensational term for RB Leipzig on his way to being named Bundesliga player of the year. 

His form saw him rewarded with a new two-year extension that keeps him at Leipzig until 2026 – but crucially it includes a release clause of £52.8m, which Chelsea have now pounced on.

The 24-year-old scored a hat-trick in Leipzig's 6-3 Champions League loss to Man City last year

The 24-year-old scored a hat-trick in Leipzig’s 6-3 Champions League loss to Man City last year

The eight-cap France star has continued his impressive displays this campaign – scoring six goals and setting up another in 11 games so far. 

Should Chelsea confirm their deal for Nkunku it would continue their lavish spending under Boehly since he completed a £4.2bn takeover of the Blues this year. 

He brought in Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly, as well as Fofana, Aubameyang, and Sterling to make a real statement of his intentions.

He’s also rung the changes in the board room – ousting director Marina Granovskaia and long-term chairman Bruce Buck, with the American chief now seeking a new sporting director that can assist him on securing the biggest deals.  

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