Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea will now have to pay more than the original €60m (£52m) quoted to sign Christopher Nkunku.
It had been reported earlier in the year that Nkunku had undergone a medical ahead of joining Chelsea next summer, and now Romano has tweeted that everything is now almost ready to be confirmed as done.
However, it doesn’t appear to have been a straightforward deal, with Chelsea reportedly having to pay more than what was originally reported to secure his services before another suitor swoops in.
Romano has spoken about the potential blockbuster transfer on his YouTube channel.
He said: “There is a verbal agreement in place between Chelsea and RB Leipzig. The relationship is very good between people on the board of Red Bull Group and people on the board of Chelsea, so the agreement is almost there.
“I’m told that Chelsea will pay more than €60m. You remember that it was September and I told you there are two ways [to buy Nkunku] – to trigger the [release] clause in the summer or to pay a different kind of fee, but having guarantees on the deal to be completed in 2023.
“This is the case. Chelsea will agree on a package with RB Leipzig that will be more than €60m – close to €70m – but with a guarantee that there is an agreement in place, and so, no other club will be able to trigger the clause in the summer.
Will Nkunku be a good signing for Chelsea?
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“And also with – an important point – better payment terms for Chelsea. We know that in many cases, when a release clause is triggered, it is because the payment is really fast; in this case, Chelsea will have the possibility to pay with better payment terms.”
TIF Thoughts on Nkunku to Chelsea…
It does appear that Chelsea are having to pay a lot of money to secure the services of Nkunku for next summer, but judging by his record in the German Bundesliga, it’s no surprise they’re desperate to sign him.
The Frenchman has registered 49 goal involvements in the German top flight since the start of last season, so Chelsea have certainly had to act quickly and bullishly to land the winger – and that’s what Leipzig have seemingly forced them to do by paying closer to £60 million.
Nkunku will likely be one of the biggest signings of next summer even though it feels as though it’s already done. Chelsea will be hoping his arrival can help solve their attacking woes that have been on show – particularly since Graham Potter’s arrival in the league.