Christopher Nkunku has officially joined AC Milan from Chelsea on a five-year deal for a reported €42 million. Milan successfully fended off interest from Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig to secure the French international. Nkunku’s move to Milan provides him a fresh start after a challenging time at Stamford Bridge. He becomes Milan’s eighth signing of the transfer window, highlighting the club’s ambition to strengthen their squad for Serie A and European competitions.
AC Milan has successfully acquired the services of Christopher Nkunku, securing the coveted forward from Chelsea on a five-year contract. The Serie A giants finalized the deal after reportedly fending off interest from Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, marking a significant coup for Massimiliano Allegri's side.
The transfer is estimated to be worth up to €42 million (£36.2 million), and includes a sell-on clause, indicating Milan’s belief in Nkunku’s potential future value. The Rossoneri were initially exploring several attacking options, with Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface considered, and Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder also linked with a move to the San Siro. However, Nkunku emerged as the preferred target, and the deal was officially announced on Saturday, a day after Milan celebrated their first Serie A victory of the season, a 2-0 win against Lecce.
Nkunku's move to Milan offers him a fresh start after a challenging spell at Stamford Bridge. The French international joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 with high expectations, but struggled to consistently replicate his Bundesliga form in the Premier League. Despite his undeniable talent, Nkunku found it difficult to cement a regular place in the Chelsea starting eleven. He has managed 18 goals in 62 appearances for Chelsea, which includes playing six of their seven Club World Cup games, ultimately leading them to winning the tournament.
His time in London was further complicated by injuries and tactical adjustments, limiting his opportunities to showcase his full potential. Under Enzo Maresca, Nkunku found himself out of the squad for the first two Premier League games of the season, fueling speculation about his future. Interest from Bayern Munich and a potential return to RB Leipzig were rumored, but Nkunku ultimately chose to continue his career in Italy with AC Milan.
The move to Milan provides Nkunku with an opportunity to revitalize his career in a new environment. Serie A is renowned for its tactical nuances and emphasis on technical ability, qualities that align well with Nkunku’s strengths. Under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri, Nkunku will be expected to play a key role in Milan’s attacking setup. His versatility allows him to operate as a central striker, a second striker, or even as an attacking midfielder, providing Allegri with tactical flexibility.
Nkunku becomes Milan’s eighth signing of a busy transfer window, demonstrating the club’s ambition to strengthen their squad and compete for major honors. Milan has already welcomed experienced players and promising talents to bolster their ranks. The additions of Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, Ardon Jashari, Pervis Estupinan, Koni De Winter, Zachary Athekame and Pietro Terracciano highlight Milan's commitment to building a squad capable of challenging for the Serie A title and making a significant impact in European competitions.
While Nkunku’s arrival is a major boost for Milan, his departure could trigger further activity at Stamford Bridge. Reports suggest that Chelsea might consider a loan deal for Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich. With the transfer deadline approaching, Chelsea will need to carefully assess their attacking options and make strategic decisions to ensure they have sufficient depth and quality in their squad.
The acquisition of Nkunku is a statement of intent from AC Milan, signaling their determination to compete with the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, and Napoli for the Serie A title. Nkunku’s arrival adds creativity, flair, and goal-scoring threat to Milan’s attack, and his ability to link up with other key players will be crucial to their success. Milan fans will be eagerly anticipating Nkunku’s debut and hoping that he can quickly adapt to Italian football and showcase the qualities that made him one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
As Nkunku embarks on this new chapter in his career, the football world will be watching closely to see if he can rediscover his best form and help AC Milan achieve their ambitious goals. His move to Serie A represents a significant opportunity for him to prove his doubters wrong and establish himself as one of the leading forwards in Italian football.