Chelsea ‘plot double raid on RB Leipzig for Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol’ – as Thomas Tuchel looks to steal coveted France forward from under his mentor Ralf Rangnick’s nose
- Chelsea are interested in RB Leipzig pair Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol
- Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick is also keen on signing Nkunku
- Chelsea are set to lose Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer
- Gvardiol has been touted as a potential replacement by Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea are reportedly planning a double raid on Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for prolific forward Christopher Nkunku and defender Josko Gvardiol.
Their interest in Gvardiol has been reported for some time, with Thomas Tuchel planning for life without Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, and possibly Cesar Azpilicueta too.
Manchester United meanwhile are interested in Nkunku, with Tuchel’s mentor Ralf Rangnick keen for the player to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Chelsea are plotting to raid RB Leipzig for Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku this summer
Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen his squad at both ends of the pitch in the next window
Manchester United could face stiff competition for Nkunku however, with Sky Sports Germany reporting that Tuchel would like to sign the Frenchman and Gvardiol from RB Leipzig this summer.
Both Premier League sides could face a stern test in their pursuit of Nkunku, with RB Leipzig keen to keep their star forward.
Nkunku, who has a staggering 54 goals contributions in 50 games across all competitions this season, is contracted at the club until 2024.
Nkunku has been in electric form this season scoring 34 goals and registering 20 assists
Ralf Rangnick is keen for United to sign Nkunku, who joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2019
Leipzig president Oliver Mintzlaff recently told Sky Sports, as per the Independent: ‘Nkunku will be our player next year.’
Mintzlaff though did go on to add that ‘in football, nobody is unsellable.’
Rangnick is keen for United to sign Nkunku, but the interim boss only has one game left in charge before he is set to go behind the scenes as an advisor, with Ajax manager Erik ten Hag set to step in his place.
Depending on whether Ten Hag, like Rangnick, is keen to sign Nkunku, it could then open the door for Tuchel to steal the Frenchman under the nose of his mentor Rangnick.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Gvardiol meanwhile is heavily influenced by Rudiger and Christensen who are both set to leave the club at the end of their contracts this summer.
Chelsea are planning for life without defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen
German international Rudiger has agreed a long-term contract with Real Madrid, while Christensen looks set to join their Spanish rivals Barcelona.
The loss of two centre-backs means Tuchel has his work cut out to fill the voids in the summer transfer window.
It was previously reported that Gvardiol is said to be a top priority, though he is one of many of Tuchel’s list of potential replacements, including Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez.
Gvardiol has been touted as a potential replacement in the heart of the Chelsea defence
Chelsea have been unable to work on signings since Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government due to his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The news over the weekend that Todd Boehly’s consortium has signed an agreement to purchase the club from Abramovich, has given them hope that they will be able to work on new additions by the start of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea’s statement in the early hours on Saturday morning stated that is expected the sale will be completed by the end of May.
