RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has dismissed reports Christopher Nkunku has agreed a deal to join Chelsea as ‘speculation’ and says he is not paying any attention to it.
On Monday, it was reported that the London club had stolen a march on a host of European teams by convincing Nkunku to sign a pre-contract agreement that will see him move to the club in the summer of 2023.
The Frenchman has a £52.7m release clause that becomes active next year, but Chelsea have decided to pay in excess of that fee now in order to secure a deal.
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Nkunku is even said to have been given permission to undergo a medical in Germany last month, with Chelsea having been keen to wrap up a deal now in order to avoid huge battle for his services next summer.
Leipzig are due to host Celtic in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday and Rose was naturally asked about the reports surrounding the player.
‘It’s speculation, we don’t comment on it,’ said the German coach at a press conference on Tuesday. ‘We don’t care, we don’t care.’
The 24-year-old was one of the standout stars in the Bundesliga last campaign, netting 20 goals and providing 13 assists, while he has notched six goals in the 2022/23 campaign.
He has been linked with the likes of Bayern, Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United – with ex-boss Ralf Rangnick championing Nkunku to the Red Devils’ hierarchy.
But, even though Rose has played down the speculation, it appears the Blues have gazumped their rivals with an early move for the Frenchman.
Chelsea hierarchy have been eager to add more firepower to their ranks and looked into signing Nkunku in the summer just gone, but Leipzig were adamant he was not for sale and the player was unsure about switching clubs before the World Cup.
But, He may not be the only Leipzig player leaving Germany for west London next summer, with Chelsea also keen to sign Josko Gvardiol – who also signed a contract extension which included a release clause.
