Chelsea and Leipzig have discussed Christopher Nkunku in talks for Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands.

Leipzig are interested in bringing back the French attacker, who joined Chelsea in summer 2023 for £52m after scoring 70 goals in 152 appearances in Germany.

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Chelsea valued Nkunku at £60m in January when Bayern made an enquiry.

Their asking price hasn’t dropped significantly due to not wanting to sell Nkunku at a book loss.

However, with Nkunku keen on a move away due to limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge, a club-to-club agreement is understood to be possible.

It will then all depend on whether Nkunku wants to return to Leipzig, especially in a season without any European football.

Tyrique George and Carney Chukwuemeka are two other names Leipzig have raised during talks over Simons.

Any deal for Nkunku or another Chelsea player would be a separate transfer to Xavi.

But there is a link in the sense Chelsea want to sell both Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, allowing them to move for Xavi and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

What are the finances involved for a Xavi Simons transfer?

Leipzig have been holding out for close to €70m, while Chelsea have been trying for a deal south of €60m.

Simons only joined Leipzig from PSG permanently in January for €50m with a further €30m in add-ons.

Key to any final valuation is exactly how many of those bonuses have been paid.

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Xavi is sold on a move to Chelsea and waiting to see whether the clubs can come to an agreement.

Garnacho is also expecting to switch to Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United want £50m, but Chelsea are hoping to strike a deal for less with the window closing soon and United focused on outgoings.

What is Ally McCoist’s verdict on Garnacho to Chelsea?

However, Rangers icon and talkSPORT host Ally McCoist is not convinced Garnacho to Chelsea is a wise move.

“I think Man United are desperately trying to get rid of him,” McCoist said.

“And I just don’t think Chelsea need him at this moment in time.”

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McCoist acknowledged Chelsea are in the market for attacking reinforcements given they sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal and have lost Jadon Sancho as he returned to Manchester United.

The Blues are also without Mykhailo Mudryk, who was charged with violating anti-doping rules in June.

However, Chelsea boss Maresca is instead targeting new faces for his defence after Levi Colwill was lost to a long-term injury.

Speaking after the Blues’ 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last Friday, Maresca confirmed a new centre-back to fill the void left by Colwill was ‘a priority’.

“What we achieved last season is because of him,” Maresca said.

“He played all the games with me, I love him, we’re going to miss him.”

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