£53m star has ‘agreed’ to become Potter’s first signing ‘very soon’

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Christopher Nkunku ‘very soon’ as the RB Leipzig star has ‘agreed’ to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Although Graham Potter was appointed as the Blues’ head coach after the closure of the summer transfer window, he is on the verge of securing his first acquisition at the helm.

What’s the latest news involving Nkunku?

According to The Athletic, Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement and is set to make the move to Chelsea next summer.

The report suggests the Blues have committed to paying Leipzig more than the value of the release clause written into the eight-cap France international’s contract, which is worth just shy of £53million.

It comes after it emerged that Nkunku travelled to Frankfurt last month as he underwent a medical ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.

The attacker is reportedly keen to join Chelsea and the capital club are looking to steal a march on their rivals.

But Leipzig boss Marco Rose has dismissed talk of Nkunku’s impending move to Potter’s charges as nothing more than ‘speculation’.

What has Simon Phillips said about Nkunku?

Phillips understands that Nkunku has already agreed to join Chelsea, but negotiations are still ongoing between current employers Leipzig and the Blues.

The journalist is confident that the two clubs will reach a compromise in the not-too-distant future and the 24-year-old will be at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: “On Nkunku’s side, he has agreed to join Chelsea.

“It’s now just on the club side of things to find an agreement, which should be very soon. I highly expect Nkunku will be playing for Chelsea next summer.”

Why didn’t Chelsea sign Nkunku during the summer transfer window?

Chelsea spent more than £250million ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline, so it is clear that they were not afraid to splash the cash.

But Phillips has previously told GIVEMESPORT that a move for Nkunku was not possible during the summer window due to the Frenchman having no interest in working under Thomas Tuchel for the second time in his career.

But, following Tuchel’s sacking by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly last month, a switch to west London now appears to be on the cards.

Nkunku showed earlier this week why the Blues are working hard to beat their rivals to his signature by scoring during Leipzig’s Champions League group stage win over Celtic.

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