Christopher Nkunku’s new contract is good news for Man Utd and Chelsea

Robin Bairner

11 Jun 2022 04:00 CDT
3 min read

Christopher Nkunku, France, 2022 — © ProShots

Christopher Nkunku might be ready to commit his immediate future to RB Leipzig, but this could curiously be a help for Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in getting a future transfer over the line.

Article continues under the video

It had been reported for several weeks that Nkunku would sign a new contract with Leipzig should they qualify for the Champions League, which they did thanks to a fourth-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

The French attacker had gained notoriety over the course of the 2021/22 season thanks to a spectacular performance. He scored 35 goals in all competitions and laid on another 20 all in just 52 appearances.

Such form had led to speculation that he could leave for Man Utd, Chelsea or even PSG, where he came through the academy.

That is set to be put to bed with a new contract. This will be an upgrade on his current deal, which expires in 2024, but will crucially leave the door open for him to depart next summer thanks to a €60 million release clause in it, according to LVZ.

Why Nkunku is signing a new Leipzig contract

This would be reminiscent of the contract that Erling Haaland signed with Borussia Dortmund when he arrived from Red Bull Salzburg. It could also spark a similar scramble for the player, which is good news for Nkunku as it means clubs will be trying to lure him with the promise of outsized wages and bonuses.

Leipzig are binding themselves to a situation whereby they know they are unlikely to get the market value of the player in 12 months, but that is offset by having him for an additional season. It is a way of recognising his importance to the team and also rewarding his loyalty by offering him an exit should he hang on for another year.

The €60m valuation as his exit fee corresponds strongly to FootballTransfers’ valuation of the player, who is estimated to be worth €58m by our calculations. This figure, though, has jumped more than €10m over the course of the last season and, should it be replicated in 2022/23, would rise similarly over the next year.

Nkunku may be staying at Leipzig for the next season, but Man Utd, Chelsea and PSG can all be expected to return for him at this time in 2023.