Christopher Nkunku reveals ‘favourite club’ in major transfer admission as Man Utd, Chelsea eye star

RB Leipzig ace Christopher Nkunku has made a big hint about his possible next destination as Manchester United and Chelsea aim to sign the 24-year-old.

Nkunku has had a terrific campaign with Leipzig, notching 35 goals and 20 assists in 51 appearances. That includes 20 strikes in the league, helping him to win the Bundesliga Player of the Season award ahead of Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski.

His deadly form helped Leipzig finish fourth in the league as well as win their first German cup, the DFB-Pokal.

But the forward could end up elsewhere this summer as plenty of teams are reportedly planning to bid for him.

Among them are Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea. Both know capturing Nkunku would give them a major boost ahead of next season.

According to recent reports, United could soon begin transfer talks and make an official bid for the France international.

This could end up with Nkunku becoming the first United signing of the Erik ten Hag era – and it would be an impressive one, to say the least.

Leipzig, as with all Red Bull clubs, are open to selling as long as the price is right. This means they can continue to pump money into scouting and player development.

Christopher Nkunku price tag achievable for United, Chelsea

Last month, German outlet Bild claimed it would take an offer worth £54million to prize the star away from Leipzig.

In the current market, this represents a decent fee for a player who is so efficient in the attacking third.

Nkunku was recently asked about his future. He says it is ‘nice’ to be a target for some of the biggest teams, although the 24-year-old also hinted he could return to France.

“Paris is my home, my favourite club. I don’t close any doors,” Nkunku said (via the Daily Mirror). “Everything is possible in football.

“It’s nice to have the biggest clubs in the world interested in me. But it’s also great to see that Leipzig are doing everything to keep me.”

Thomas Tuchel wants Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel wants to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig this summer

Nkunku came through the Paris Saint-Germain academy before leaving for Leipzig in 2019. Clearly, he still has great affection for PSG and would move back home in a heartbeat.

If Mauricio Pochettino’s side were to make a bid, then Nkunku could tell Leipzig his dream is to go back to the Parc des Princes. This would leave United and Chelsea hugely disappointed in the transfer chase.

But it will ultimately come down to whether PSG need him back. After all, Kylian Mbappe is now staying and they already have Lionel Messi and Neymar to play in attack with him. It’s hard to see how Nkunku would fit into Pochettino’s system.

One factor that must be mentioned is Ralf Rangnick’s departure from United. The German will not take up his consultancy role to help Ten Hag.

Rangnick has great connections with the Red Bull conglomerate. So without him, it could be harder for United to strike a deal with Leipzig.

Meanwhile, Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims four United players are in line to be sold to improve Ten Hag’s budget.