Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea’s £52m signing, has reportedly been offered to Barcelona at a reduced price, with the Frenchman struggling to secure consistent playing time under manager Enzo Maresca.
Since joining Chelsea, Nkunku has found himself largely sidelined in Premier League action, with Maresca favoring Nicolas Jackson as his first-choice striker. Despite scoring five goals in five matches in the UEFA Conference League, Nkunku has been primarily used as part of a secondary lineup for the competition.
This lack of top-tier opportunities has left the 27-year-old dissatisfied, leading to speculation about his future. Reports from SPORT suggest that Nkunku is eager to leave Stamford Bridge, potentially on a loan move in January or permanently during the summer transfer window.
Nkunku’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has taken proactive steps to secure a transfer for his client and has reached out to Barcelona with a proposal. Zahavi, known for his strong relationship with the Catalan club, has communicated Nkunku’s willingness to accept a reduced salary to facilitate the move.
The timing of this offer aligns with Barcelona’s internal concerns over Robert Lewandowski’s form and longevity. While the Polish striker has delivered 16 goals in 18 La Liga matches this season, his recent performances have dipped, with only two goals scored in his last seven league outings. At 36 years old, Lewandowski’s age and potential physical decline have prompted the club to consider alternatives for the future.
Sporting director Deco is keen to strengthen the attacking lineup by finding a player who can compete with Lewandowski. However, no immediate action is planned for the January window.
Nkunku is now one of several players on Barcelona’s radar, alongside notable names such as Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, Rafael Leao of AC Milan, and Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
While it remains unclear whether Barcelona will pursue Nkunku, Zahavi’s outreach has added the Chelsea forward to the club’s growing list of potential reinforcements for the attacking line.
