Christopher Nkunku ‘has had secret Chelsea medical’ before a possible £52.8m move in 2023

Red Bull Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku reportedly had a ‘secret medical’ with Chelsea this summer ahead of a potential move before the start of the 2023-24 season.

The Frenchman underwent tests in Frankfurt in August, with a Chelsea orthopedist present, according to German outlet Bild, as the Blues look to steal a march in the hunt for one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Nkunku already has six goals and an assist this season after a breakout campaign in 2021-22, which saw him score 20 goals and make 15 assists in the Bundesliga. 

Christopher Nkunku looks set for a move to Chelsea next season after a ‘secret medical’ exam

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

In total last term, Nkunku racked up 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 games in all competitions, including a hat-trick in his side’s eventful 6-3 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League.  

The 24-year-old’s statement season put him top of many clubs’ shortlists heading into the transfer window, but in a summer that saw the Bundesliga’s biggest strikers move, in Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski, he stayed put. 

But seemingly not for long, with Todd Boehly already eyeing up a £52.8million move for the versatile forward, who can operate as either a centre-forward, shadow striker or attacking midfielder. 

Todd Boehly already broke the Premier League’s record spend in one window last summer

A move would require that non-negotiable release clause payment of £52.8m to be triggered, and with the player under contract until 2026, there is no rush for Leipzig to sell a player who’s stock will surely only increase. 

But Chelsea are in urgent need of a striker, with Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku returning to Leipzig and Inter, respectively, and Kai Havertz struggling as a lone forward. 

And the price tag on his head will surely not deter the Blues new American owner, who has already broken the Premier League record for spending in one window. 

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

Boehly brought in Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Raheem Sterling for a total of around £270m.

And the American looks to be in concrete talks with Leipzig, who have a history of selling players a season before they leave the club, with Naby Keita joining Liverpool in 2018 – a year after buying him from the German outfit. 

Chelsea would seem the logical move to make, too. A switch to German titans Bayern Munich would not be unprecedented, but their current struggles make the Premier League a more attractive destination, especially with both Chelsea and Manchester United in the hunt for a No 9.

But the Blues will have to move fast if they are to jump the queue a season early, although having staged a medical for the player it would come as no surprise if a bid should follow in the not-too-distant future.  

He can play as a striker and attacking midfielder, and played as a winger against Real Madrid