French Forward Ready to Leave Stamford Bridge as Arsenal and Others Circle
When Christopher Nkunku arrived at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, the mood around the deal was optimistic. A proven Bundesliga goal scorer, creative spark, and someone who could fill the long-vacant “Eden Hazard role” — or so fans hoped. The £52 million price tag looked like a shrewd bit of business by the Blues, especially given the inflationary nature of the current transfer market.
But fast-forward to the end of the 2024/25 campaign and the narrative has completely shifted. According to reports from Sky Germany, Nkunku has now made up his mind: he wants to leave Chelsea this summer. His decision, apparently, is final.
It’s a frustrating outcome for Chelsea, who once again find themselves trying to offload a high-profile signing that hasn’t quite clicked. Perhaps even more telling is that several Premier League clubs, including long-time London rivals Arsenal, are reportedly monitoring the situation with serious interest.
A Misfiring Campaign Marked by Injuries and Inconsistency
Nkunku’s time in west London has been plagued by misfortune. He missed the early months of the season with a significant knee injury suffered in pre-season — an untimely blow that halted his integration under then-manager Mauricio Pochettino. By the time he was fit again, Chelsea’s attacking unit had already found its rhythm thanks to the emergence of Cole Palmer and the patchy but potent runs of form from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson.
New boss Enzo Maresca hasn’t shown much more faith. Nkunku, despite his versatility and obvious quality, hasn’t found a consistent spot in the starting XI. He has been used largely off the bench or in cup competitions, where most of his 14 goals this season have come — ironically, tying him with Palmer as Chelsea’s joint-top scorer in all competitions.
But numbers don’t tell the full story. Nkunku’s contributions often came in moments of individual brilliance rather than as part of a cohesive attacking structure. At times he looked sharp and intelligent, but too often faded out of games or lacked the physical edge required in the Premier League’s faster, more combative environment.
Maresca’s System Leaves Little Room for the Mercurial
Enzo Maresca’s tactical blueprint for Chelsea has leaned heavily on control and possession, with defined roles for each player — especially in attacking transitions. It’s not that Nkunku lacks tactical discipline; rather, his game thrives on improvisation and space, the very elements often stifled in Maresca’s setup.
With Palmer locking down the central creative role and Jackson occupying the number nine position, there has been little room for Nkunku to operate in his preferred areas. A brief stint on the left wing did little to change that, and the Frenchman has increasingly looked like a square peg in a round hole.
It’s no surprise, then, that frustration has crept in. Reports suggest that the 27-year-old has grown disillusioned with his role, or lack thereof, and now sees his future away from Stamford Bridge.
Summer Exit Inevitable as Premier League Rivals Line Up
Florian Plettenberg’s report on Sky Germany claims that there is “no longer any doubt” about Nkunku’s desire to leave. Interest from abroad was present during January, with Bayern Munich reportedly sounding out a potential swap involving Mathys Tel — a rumour later denied by the Bundesliga club.
Manchester United also made a last-ditch attempt to secure Nkunku’s services on winter deadline day, only for the approach to be rebuffed. But with the summer window looming, new contenders have emerged — including a particularly intriguing one in the form of Arsenal.
The Gunners have made a habit in recent years of recruiting former Chelsea men: Willian, David Luiz, Jorginho, and most notably, Kai Havertz. Mikel Arteta has shown a knack for extracting value from players deemed surplus at Stamford Bridge, and with Arsenal looking to deepen their attacking options, Nkunku may just fit the bill.
What’s Nkunku Worth Now?
Chelsea are reportedly asking for a fee in the region of £60-65 million — a figure that, on current form and considering his injury record, might raise eyebrows. While his output in cup competitions has been solid, there remains a sense that he hasn’t truly proven himself in the Premier League.
But for a club like Arsenal, who need to bolster their attacking depth ahead of another Champions League campaign, Nkunku represents an interesting gamble. A versatile, technically gifted attacker who can play across the frontline, he could provide cover for Gabriel Jesus, rotate with Havertz, or even slot into a new-look front three.
Still, Chelsea may be reluctant to sell to a direct rival, especially given how previous cross-London transfers have come back to haunt them. Letting Nkunku go is one thing; watching him thrive at Arsenal would be another entirely.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Nkunku’s impending exit will be another reminder that Chelsea’s recruitment under the Todd Boehly era remains a mixed bag. There’s no doubting the talent of the players brought in, but the club has struggled to build a team with consistent chemistry and defined roles.
If Nkunku does leave, it may open the door for further reshuffling in Chelsea’s attack. The emergence of Palmer as the team’s talisman gives Maresca something to build around, but questions remain about Sterling’s long-term role, the development of Noni Madueke, and the reliability of Jackson.
There’s also the looming question of squad size. Chelsea continue to operate with a bloated roster, and trimming the fat — even when it means letting go of talented players like Nkunku — may be the necessary step toward building a more balanced, focused side.
Nkunku: A Case of Wrong Player, Wrong Time?
In many ways, Nkunku’s situation at Chelsea is a classic case of wrong timing. Had he arrived to a more stable tactical environment — or simply not picked up that pre-season injury — things could’ve been very different. The skill, creativity, and scoring instinct are all still there, but the chemistry never quite developed.
At 27, Nkunku still has several prime years ahead of him. A move elsewhere, whether that’s across London or to another European heavyweight, could easily reignite the form that made him such a sought-after name in the first place.
Chelsea fans will be disappointed, but perhaps not surprised. In a season marked by inconsistency and transition, losing a high-profile player who never quite settled feels sadly familiar.
In summary: Christopher Nkunku looks set to bring his Chelsea chapter to a close, a year after it began with such promise. With Premier League rivals on alert and Chelsea undergoing another summer of change, this could be the start of yet another reshaped forward line at Stamford Bridge.
