Newcastle United and Aston Villa are both reportedly pursuing Christopher Nkunku. AC Milan could be willing to sell the Frenchman for around £25 million – just one year after he left the Premier League.
Christopher Nkunku could be heading back to England.
Newcastle United are reportedly favourites to sign the 28-year-old, but Aston Villa are also in the race for the AC Milan forward. A transfer fee of around £25 million has been mooted, while Roma, Borussia Dortmund and his former club RB Leipzig are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Nkunku himself is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League, which could give Newcastle and Villa an advantage in the race for his signature.
There have been no reports of an agreement between the clubs so far.
Could leave Milan after just one year
Nkunku joined AC Milan from Chelsea in the summer of 2025, but his stay at San Siro could be short-lived.
The Frenchman has not managed to establish himself as the key player Milan had hoped for when they signed him. The Italian club could now be open to a sale if the right offer comes in.
For Newcastle, the price tag could make the move particularly appealing. Around £25 million is a relatively modest sum for a player who was among Europe's most sought-after attacking talents just a few years ago.
Excelled in the Bundesliga
Nkunku came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain, but it was after his move to RB Leipzig in 2019 that his career really took off.
He developed into a highly accomplished all-round attacking player who could operate as a number ten, winger or striker.
His breakthrough season came in 2021/22, when he scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in 34 Bundesliga appearances. Those performances earned him the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.
The following season, he also finished as the German league's top scorer with 16 goals.
In total, Nkunku scored 70 goals in 172 appearances for Leipzig and won the German Cup twice. His performances prompted Chelsea to secure his signature.
Chelsea spell hampered by injuries
Expectations were high when Nkunku arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
But he suffered a serious knee injury before he had even made his Premier League debut. His first season was severely curtailed as a result, and the Frenchman never got the start in England he had hoped for.
He had more opportunities the following season and scored a number of goals in cup competitions, but struggled to establish himself as a clear first choice in the Premier League.
Competition for places was fierce, and Cole Palmer in particular made it difficult for Nkunku to secure a regular central role in Chelsea's attack.
After two years in London, he moved on to Milan.
Newcastle or Aston Villa?
A return to England could now give Nkunku another opportunity to show the level he reached at Leipzig.
For Newcastle, his versatility would be appealing. Nkunku can play in several attacking positions, creating chances, operating between the lines and contributing goals.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are reportedly ready to challenge Newcastle for the player.
That could give Milan several options if the club decides to sell before the transfer window closes.
Roma, Dortmund and Leipzig are also mentioned as interested parties, but if Nkunku does prefer the Premier League, the race could ultimately come down to the two English clubs.
Newcastle are reportedly in the driving seat for now. Aston Villa are pushing hard – and Nkunku could therefore be heading back to the Premier League just one year after leaving Chelsea.