In a major transfer development, Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is poised to join AC Milan, with a verbal agreement in principle reached between the two clubs. The deal, which is expected to be finalized with documents prepared today, will see the Serie A giants pay Chelsea a fee in the region of €35 million, including add-ons.
The 27-year-old Frenchman has already given his approval to a five-year contract with the Rossoneri, a decision confirmed yesterday, marking a significant step in his career after a challenging stint at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan and Chelsea are in the final stages of negotiations, with the Italian club confident of securing the versatile attacker’s signature before the summer transfer window closes on Monday.
Chelsea’s initial asking price was around £34.5 million (€40 million) plus add-ons, while Milan countered with an offer closer to £25.8 million (€30 million) plus add-ons. The clubs have now settled on a compromise fee of approximately €35 million, reflecting Milan’s determination to bolster their attacking options.
Nkunku’s move comes as part of Chelsea’s broader strategy to offload players deemed surplus under manager Enzo Maresca. The forward, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for €60 million, has struggled for consistent game time, starting just nine Premier League matches last season and remaining an unused substitute in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League final victory over Real Betis in May.
Despite contributing 15 goals and five assists across 48 appearances last term, mostly in the Conference League, Nkunku has fallen behind new signings like Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in the pecking order.
AC Milan have been actively seeking a forward to strengthen their squad after failed attempts to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface and Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder. Nkunku, capable of playing as a striker, attacking midfielder, or winger, offers the versatility and quality that manager Massimiliano Allegri values. His impressive record at RB Leipzig—70 goals and 56 assists in 172 matches, including being the Bundesliga’s joint-top scorer in 2022-23—highlights his potential to be a game-changer for Milan.
The Rossoneri, who finished eighth in Serie A last season, see Nkunku as a key addition to their attacking lineup, which already includes former Chelsea players Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori, and Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, in particular, has thrived since moving to the San Siro, and Milan will hope Nkunku can follow a similar path to revive his career in Italy.
Nkunku’s departure from Chelsea has been on the cards, with interest from multiple clubs, including Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Aston Villa, and Inter Milan.
Bayern explored a loan deal with an option to buy, but Chelsea insisted on a permanent transfer, a stance that has paved the way for Milan’s bid. RB Leipzig, where Nkunku previously starred, and Aston Villa were also in the race, but Milan’s concrete offer and the player’s agreement to a five-year deal have put them in pole position.
Chelsea’s willingness to let Nkunku go aligns with their efforts to streamline their squad and fund potential new signings, with reports suggesting they are eyeing Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. Meanwhile, Milan’s pursuit of Nkunku underscores their ambition to compete at the highest level in Serie A and beyond.
With the transfer window nearing its close, both clubs are working swiftly to finalize the paperwork. Nkunku’s move to AC Milan could be officially announced in the coming days, offering the Frenchman a fresh start and Milan a dynamic addition to their squad. As the Rossoneri prepare for their next Serie A fixture, the arrival of a player of Nkunku’s caliber could provide the spark needed to elevate their campaign.
This transfer marks another chapter in the growing pipeline of talent moving from Chelsea to AC Milan, with Nkunku poised to make an immediate impact at the San Siro.
Sources: Fabrizio Romano (via YouTube and X), Footmercato, Sky Sport Italia
