Misfiring Chelsea forward ready to explore transfer away

Christopher Nkunku is reportedly ready to listen to offers over a departure from Chelsea this summer.

Much was expected of Nkunku after his £52m signing in 2023 but, after a serious injury delayed his start, the France international has fallen well short of expectations. He has just six goals in 38 Premier League games to his name, having failed to offer any reliable competition for Blues striker Nicolas Jackson.

Bayern Munich and Manchester United were both keen on Nkunku in January after it became clear he had no significant future under Enzo Maresca, and the 27-year-old's situation has not improved in the months since.

He was recently left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea's comeback victory over Fulham, after which the Blues boss bluntly admitted his omission was simply a "technical decision".

The Times stress that neither Chelsea nor Nkunku have made firm decisions about the future, but the forward is willing to explore the options available to him after being afforded just 11 league starts in the past two seasons.

An exit is seen as the most likely outcome but there is no mention of any interested clubs as it stands. The January suitors both baulked at an asking price of £70m, much to the disappointment of Nkunku, who refused to leave Chelsea on loan.

Chelsea want a new striker this summer - Maresca has previously insisted he struggles to find a role for Nkunku as he does not see the France international as a striker - and are ready to do battle with United over Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

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