Barcelona Eyeing Nkunku as Blues Forward Faces Uncertain Future

The Chelsea forward has been offered to the Catalan giants, but financial hurdles might block a January deal.

December 24, 2024
12:16 pm

Barcelona might get another chance to team up with Chelsea after the summer transfer of Marc Guiu, who joined the Blues for £5m. This time, the spotlight is on Christopher Nkunku, whose future at Chelsea looks a bit shaky after not getting much playtime in the Premier League this season.

The 27-year-old French international has had a tough time finding consistent minutes under manager Enzo Maresca. After missing a whole season due to injury, Nkunku has been playing second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson, starting just twice in the league this season, even though he did score in a recent match against Southampton.

Nkunku’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has offered him to Barcelona ahead of the January transfer window. This comes as Chelsea looks for ways to manage their crowded squad, leaving many players without enough game time.

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But a move to Barcelona won’t be easy. The Catalan club is facing financial challenges, making any transfer unlikely unless Chelsea agrees to a loan deal where they cover most of Nkunku’s wages. Nkunku is reportedly open to taking a pay cut to make the move happen, but Barcelona is cautious due to their strict wage budget. Plus, Chelsea’s manager Maresca has publicly stated that Nkunku is “not for sale” in January, though his limited role might spark more talks about his future.

Barcelona’s interest in Nkunku fits their search for an attacking player to support or eventually replace Robert Lewandowski, whose form has been slipping. Still, Barcelona is also eyeing other targets like Marcus Rashford and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, showing they want to boost their attack without rushing into signings.

To complicate things, Chelsea is reportedly considering using Nkunku in a swap deal to bring Barcelona’s young midfielder Fermin Lopez to Stamford Bridge. This could work better for Barcelona’s financial situation, but it’s unclear if either side is ready to go for it.

For now, it’s anyone’s guess whether Nkunku will leave Stamford Bridge in January. His performances, even with limited chances, show he’s got talent, but Chelsea’s squad dynamics leave his future up in the air. Barcelona’s financial hurdles also make a mid-season transfer look tricky.

A loan deal could be the answer, with Chelsea covering most of Nkunku’s wages. But that might not be the best move for the London club, considering he came with a £52m price tag from RB Leipzig.