- Christopher Nkunku has struggled for regular gametime at Chelsea this season
- Nkunku has scored 13 goals, but he has started just three times in the top flight
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Manchester United have asked about the possibility of Christopher Nkunku on loan from Chelsea.
Nkunku, 27, has endured a frustrating 18 months since joining the Blues from RB Leipzig for £52million in the summer of 2023.
After spending much of last season injured, the Frenchman has started just three Premier League games this time around and has mainly featured in cup competitions for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Nkunku, who has still scored 13 goals, has struggled to dislodge Nicolas Jackson in attack, while Cole Palmer’s form has prevented the 27-year-old from playing in attacking midfield.
Mail Sport has previously reported how Nkunku has grown frustrated at his lack of game time, with the attacker keen to ensure he plays regular football to keep his place in the France squad.
News of United’s interest in him, which is seen as having an outside chance of materialising, comes as Chelsea are expected to bid for Napoli target and Red Devils star Alejandro Garnacho.
Man United have asked about the possibility of Christopher Nkunku on loan from Chelsea
Nkunku has impressed in cup competitions, but he has struggled for gametime in the league
The signing of Nkunku would be a major boost for under-fire United boss Ruben Amorim
Meanwhile, Nkunku is also wanted by Bayern Munich while Chelsea would like Bayern’s Mathys Tel.
Mail Sport previously reported that Nkunku has agreed to go to Bayern if they meet Chelsea’s £70m asking price.
That is made more intriguing by the fact that the Blues have a long-standing interest in teenager Tel, having also checked on his availability in the summer.
Nkunku is currently tied down to a deal that lasts until 2029 and Chelsea are believed to value him at more than £60m.
The forward has featured 16 times off the bench in the Premier League this season, although he has shown his class in cup competitions, scoring 11 goals in 10 games across the Europa Conference League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
When questioned earlier this season, Blues boss Enzo Maresca denied that Nkunku was unhappy with his playing time.
‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘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.
Nkunku has scored 13 goals in 29 games, although 11 of these have been in cup competitions
United’s interest in Nkunku comes as Chelsea are preparing a bid for Alejandro Garnacho
‘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.’
Any move to United for Nkunku would be a major boost to Ruben Amorim, with the beleaguered Portuguese boss having won six – and lost seven – of his 16 games in charge since joining from Sporting Lisbon in November.
Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo have impressed since his arrival, but the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho have struggled for form, while Antony has joined Real Betis on loan and Marcus Rashford has been frozen out.
The sentiment is that United need to generate cash from a sale of Garnacho this month to help them navigate PSR restrictions further down the line.
United want £60m but Napoli, who are in competition for him with Chelsea, so far offered around £50m.
