Newcastle United’s summer rebuild still looks unfinished with just under two weeks for the market to close and Matthias Jaissle still trying to improve a team that has struggled for consistent production during the preseason.
The Magpies had recently been linked with Christopher Nkunku after AC Milan made the France international available, and the latest reports suggest Newcastle’s interest is becoming more concrete.
Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo reported on Monday that Newcastle is among several
clubs to have made enquiries to both Milan and Nkunku’s representatives, with Aston Villa, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Roma also in the mix.
“Nkunku on the way out, Milan values him at 35 million as a starting point,” Longo reported. “Newcastle, Aston Villa, Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Roma have made inquiries to both the club and the French attacker’s agent.”
That €35 million (£30.2 million) asking price could actually be lower, as Chronicle Live reported that Newcastle could potentially land Nkunku for closer to £25 million (€29 million).
More significantly, Chronicle Live reported that Newcastle is “closing in” on the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain attacker and described the Magpies as the current favorites for his signature.
“Newcastle United are reportedly favourites in the race to sign Christopher Nkunku from AC Milan this summer, despite concrete interest from Aston Villa,” Chronicle Live reported.
The outlet added that Milan’s need to raise funds could help facilitate a sale.
“(Milan) are in need of player sales to generate funds for the transfer of Diego Moirera from RC Strasbourg, and could be tempted to move on Nkunku in the process,” Chronicle Live reported.
There is, however, an important caveat to the “closing in” framing by the Chronicle Live, as the same outlet, shortly after making that statement, noted that no formal Newcastle proposal has yet been sent to Milan.
“Chronicle Live also understand that while affordable, no concrete interest proposals have been lodged for Nkunku,” the outlet reported.
Nkunku joined Milan from Chelsea last summer and scored seven goals with three assists during his first Serie A campaign. His best stretch remains his time at RB Leipzig, where he scored 70 goals in 172 appearances, but that’s already way in the past, which brings questions to the table about his current form and whether or not he could regain that magic in the Premier League with Newcastle.
Would you take the gamble on Nkunku at around £25-30 million, or should Newcastle target another forward instead? Share your thoughts below!
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