Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku for a fee of €60m (£51.8m).
The 25-year-old was on the radar of several top European clubs over the summer after hitting 34 goals and 20 assists in 52 matches for Die Roten Bullen in the 2021-22 season.
Nkunku was heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United or Arsenal, but he elected to stay at Leipzig and penned a new deal at the Red Bull Arena until 2026 in June.
However, it was reported at the end of September that the France international had already undergone a medical with Chelsea ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Nkunku is also said to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Graham Potter's side, despite late attempts from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid to hijack the move.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is now in place for a €60m (£51.8m) deal, and Nkunku's transfer to West London is inching ever closer.
Romano adds that the former PSG starlet has signed a "long-term" deal at Chelsea, and his move is set to be made official at the end of the current season.
Nkunku was forced to pull out of France's World Cup squad after sustaining a serious knee injury in training, and Leipzig cannot confirm when his torn ligament will fully heal by.
The Frenchman's issue plunged his prospective move to Chelsea in doubt earlier this year, as he is expected to be out for a couple of months at least, but he will seemingly secure his switch to Stamford Bridge regardless.
Nkunku - who won the DFB-Pokal with RB Leipzig last season - has continued his prolific form in the 2022-23 campaign, registering 17 goals and four assists in 23 appearances across all tournaments.
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The attacker now has a total of 64 goals and 51 assists to boast from 159 matches in a Leipzig shirt, having come through the youth ranks at PSG before leaving in 2019.
Nkunku's arrival at Stamford Bridge could open the door for both Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech to leave, with the out-of-favour duo being heavily linked with exits.
Pulisic has impressed for the USA at the World Cup and is rumoured to be on the radar of Man United, Arsenal and Newcastle United, and Chelsea would prefer to offload him permanently rather than send him out on loan.
Meanwhile, Ziyech was tipped to join AC Milan in the summer, and while a switch to San Siro did not materialise, the Italian champions are thought to be preparing to reignite their interest in January.
Ziyech - who is currently on World Cup duty with Morocco - recently refused to rule out the possibility of an exit from Chelsea when questioned on his future.
Ben Knapton
