Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, with the Frenchman’s lack of Premier League minutes sparking speculation about his future. According to Sport, Nkunku’s struggles to secure consistent playing time under Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino have alerted the Catalan giants, who are closely monitoring his situation.
Nkunku, 27, has impressed at Stamford Bridge with 12 goals in 25 appearances this season, but has often found himself playing second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson in attack. The forward is said to be seeking a more prominent role, which has led to suggestions that he could be open to a move away from the London club.
Nkunku’s agent, Pini Zahavi, who enjoys a strong working relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, has presented the player as a viable option. Zahavi has a history of facilitating high-profile moves and is currently involved in managing the professional affairs of key Barcelona figures, including Robert Lewandowski and coach Hansi Flick.
While no formal negotiations have taken place, Nkunku’s willingness to take a pay cut to secure the move has added to the appeal. Barcelona are taking a cautious approach, however, with their financial situation still under review. Any move for Nkunku would likely depend on whether the deal can be structured affordably, potentially in the form of a loan.
Nkunku is not the only player on Barcelona’s radar, with the club also linked to Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah. However, with Italian champions Napoli and Manchester United also reportedly interested in the versatile forward, the race for his signature is set to be competitive.
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