Christopher Nkunku after making an approach for the Chelsea forward during the January transfer window, as per reports from France.
Nkunku, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for £52 million from RB Leipzig, endured a challenging first season at Stamford Bridge due to knee, hip, and hamstring injuries.
Now fully fit, the 27-year-old has struggled to secure a consistent starting role under Enzo Maresca, featuring in just nine Premier League matches this term.
RMC Sport indicates that Nkunku is considering his future with Chelsea and wishes to play for a club guaranteed Champions League football next season.
Both Arsenal and Bayern Munich reportedly explored the possibility of signing Nkunku in January and are anticipated to make another attempt to secure the French international’s services this summer.
Earlier this year, Arsenal pursued a new striker but refrained from finalizing a deal after their £40 million bid for Ollie Watkins was rejected by Aston Villa.
The Gunners have now prioritized Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko for the upcoming transfer window.
Additionally, Arsenal is said to be leading the race for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a €60 million (£51 million) move.
Meanwhile, Nkunku was notably excluded from Chelsea’s squad for their 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend, further fueling speculation about his future.
‘Since day one, I just tried to do my best for the club and every decision I take is thinking about the best for the club,’ Maresca said this week.
‘I know Christo cost a lot of money and Ty [Tyrique George] is from the academy but I have to make these decisions.’
Asked how Nkunku has responded to the setback, Maresca said: ‘He has been good in the last week when he was out.
‘We need to decide one or two players out and to give some of the young players a chance to be with us. It was just because of that but now he is back in the squad. He is training well.
‘Probably in this moment, if he is in the squad, one offensive player has to be out for the Fulham game and that probably would have been Tyrique.’
