Man Utd eye AMBITIOUS Chelsea loan deal

Cameron Smith

27 Jan 2025 04:45 CST
3 min read

Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Manchester United are weighing up a late January move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, who could reportedly be available on loan.

The France international has struggled for significant game time under Enzo Maresca so far this season and he has been heavily linked with a departure this month.

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Paris Saint-Germain have been touted to re-sign the 27-year-old this year, while Bayern Munich are pushing to bring him back to the Bundesliga as they eye attacking reinforcements in 2025.

However, Man Utd are also interested in Nkunku and a swap deal involving the Frenchman and Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as an option in recent days.

Despite this, The Athletic report that Man Utd could sign Nkunku on a six-month loan deal, with a temporary Chelsea exit potentially on the cards.

The former RB Leipzig star has only started three Premier League games so far this campaign, and Man Utd could pursue an ambitious loan move amid his current status at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku still has four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Chelsea, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has dropped to below €30 million following his struggles this season.

What has Enzo Maresca said?

Speaking after Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup, Enzo Maresca revealed why Nkunku has struggled for minutes in his preferred position so far this season.

“The only thing I've said since the start is it's difficult to play games with so many attacking players,” Maresca admitted.

“If Joao plays it means that Cole doesn't play, or if Joao plays he has to play with Cole together but it depends on the game.

“For me it's quite easy, we have three players that are more or less similar, Joao and Cole and Christo.

“Joao has played some games, Christo has played, they both played against Ipswich, they both played Southampton and Leicester. In some games we can play with them all together but not every game.”