Arsenal eye Chelsea raid for 'out of favour' star forward
Arsenal is actively scouting potential transfers for the upcoming summer window, with a focus on acquiring a new forward. Mikel Arteta has identified several key targets, including Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Recent developments have also linked Arsenal with Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled for playing time and impact at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca. Nkunku, a high-profile acquisition for Chelsea in 2023, has been plagued by injuries and has seen limited starting opportunities, leading to speculations about his departure. Arsenal had shown interest in Nkunku during the previous winter transfer window, but Chelsea resisted selling to a rival at that time, leaving an opening for a potential summer move.
Arsenal is preparing for a significant summer transfer window with plans to bring in several new players, prioritizing a new forward to bolster their attack.
Mikel Arteta's shortlist for potential striker acquisitions includes Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Christopher Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for over £50 million in 2023, has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal due to his limited game time under Chelsea's current management.
Nkunku has struggled with injuries and has not lived up to his potential at Chelsea, featuring in only nine of 27 Premier League matches as a starter in the 2024/25 season.
Despite Chelsea's previous reluctance to sell Nkunku to a direct rival, the player's ongoing challenges and lack of playing time have opened the door for a possible transfer to Arsenal.
Nkunku's statistics at Chelsea include three goals and two assists in 27 Premier League appearances, and five goals with three assists in nine Conference League matches, highlighting his struggles to make a significant impact.
Arsenal continues to monitor Nkunku's situation closely, hoping to capitalize on his unsettled status at Chelsea for a potential summer acquisition.
Arsenal fans are gearing up for a big summer transfer window with multiple new faces expected to arrive at the Emirates Stadium in the coming months.
Mikel Arteta has drawn up a shortlist of targets, with a new attacker the priority for him, and a new name has emerged on the Spaniard's rumoured radar.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with an offer for Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, alongside Newcastle United goal machine Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko as the primary options for their striker position in 2025/26.
However, fresh rumours have emerged over a move for Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku, according to reports from French outlet RMC Sport, and the Gunners are keeping a close eye on his situation at Stamford Bridge.
The report also hints Arsenal were interested in the French international in the winter transfer window, but Chelsea were unwilling to sell to a rival at that stage, and particularly in mid-season.
However, the situation has evolved since the start of 2025, as Nkunku continues to struggle for minutes under Enzo Maresca, and a change looks likely.
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Will Christopher Nkunku leave Chelsea this summer?
Nkunku was a high-profile signing for the Blues in the summer of 2023, joining from RB Leipzig for just over £50m [$66.5m], on a weekly wage of £195,000 [$26,000] according to Capology.
However, the France international has failed to fulfil his potential in either overall impact or goal involvements. On top of that, he has spent significant spells on the sidelines due to injury, during his time with the Blues.
Although the 27-year-old versatile forward has featured in 27 games in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, he has started only nine of those matches, with the chance of an exit continuing to grow.
Nkunku was snubbed from the Chelsea squad as they defeated Fulham 2-1 on the road last weekend and that was followed by an unused substitute role in the following 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
His numbers do not immediately catch the eye, with three goals and two assists in 27 EPL matches this season, plus eight goal contributions (5G+3A) in nine Conference League games.