Time is running out in the summer transfer window and Bayern Munich’s front office has made it clear that the focus for the remainder of the window is to try to secure some loan deals. The big summer goal in getting Florian Wirtz was railroaded by Liverpool and VfB Stuttgart have proven to be incredibly difficult sellers with regards to striker Nick Woltemade, who has expressed his desire to leave the Swabians, specifically for Bayern.
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku has long been on Bayern’s radar for
more than just this summer, but he was one of several names on a list of Wirtz contingency plans. As things stand, Chelsea are looking for somewhere in the range of €45m to let go of the French international on the heels of news emerging that Bayern is also interested in striker Nicolas Jackson.
Right now, Nkunku earns just shy of €12m per year at Chelsea, but Daily Telegraph correspondent Matt Law (via @iMiaSanMia) has reported that the French winger is now open to taking a pay cut to be able to leave Stamford Bridge before this summer’s window closes. He’s not in Enzo Maresca’s first choice selections and both he and Jackson were not in the squad for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace or the 5-1 win over West Ham United. The Italian manager has a preference of playing Neto and Jamie Gittens on the wings on either side of Cole Palmer and behind either Joao Pedro or Liam Delap. Case in point, Nkunku is ready for a move and taking things a step further by willing to take a pay cut to be able to do so.
RB Leipzig were temporarily working on a potential swap deal with Chelsea to send Nkunku back to his former club and Xavi Simons the other way, but nothing materialized, and eve Aston Villa have recently enquired about Nkunku. Still, a destination has not been selected for the winger, and from Bayern’s perspective, they will have to see whether or not Chelsea would be open to doing a loan deal or perhaps even see if it would be feasible to stray away from their loan strategy and make a permanent move for him.
