Manchester City look to beat Arsenal and Chelsea to £34m-rated Bundesliga sensation

Manchester City have enquired about the possibility of signing RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku.
By Molly Burke
Published 11th Nov 2021, 11:07 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2021, 11:23 BST
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According to SportBILD, Manchester City are keen on bringing Christopher Nkunku to the Etihad Stadium.

The midfielder is currently enjoying a brilliant campaign with RB Leipzig – scoring a hat-trick against Pep Guardiola’s side in their Champions League clash back in September.

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The Bundesliga club have release clauses in a large number of their players’ deals to protect the club, however Nkunku is one member of the squad that doesn’t have an 'escape' option in his contract.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 06: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on November 06, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 06: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on November 06, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 06: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on November 06, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old’s exceptional form hasn’t gone noticed and it is thought that numerous clubs across Europe have expressed interest, with Man City one of the midfielder’s biggest admirers.

Who is Christopher Nkunku?

Christopher Nkunku signed for RB Leipzig in 2019 for just under £12 million.

The Frenchman came through Paris Saint-Germain’s academy system before making his debut for the Ligue 1 club in 2015.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's third goal and his hat-trick during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on September 15, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's third goal and his hat-trick during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on September 15, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's third goal and his hat-trick during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on September 15, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Nkunku made over 50 appearances for PSG – winning three league titles and eight other domestic trophies – before making the move to Germany.

The 23-year-old has been a key part of Leipzig’s squad since joining the club but has been particularly impressive during the 2021/22 campaign – scoring eleven goals in 17 appearances in all competitions so far.

He was easily the stand-out performer in Leipzig’s tie with Man City as they somehow lost despite Nkunku bagging a hat-trick.

Who else is interested in signing him?

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 03: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates Konrad Laimer and Emil Forsberg after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 03, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 03: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates Konrad Laimer and Emil Forsberg after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 03, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 03: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammates Konrad Laimer and Emil Forsberg after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 03, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Nkunku’s brilliant form has led to clubs across England, Italy and Spain keeping tabs on the midfielder.

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The Leipzig star has been linked with a move to Arsenal and it was also reported that Unai Emery was keen on bringing him to the Emirates before he moved to Germany but the Gunners refused to pay the £17.2 million PSG wanted.

As well as Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been scouting the midfielder this season but Manchester City are looking the most likely to progress their interest.

Outside of England Real Madrid, Juventus and Nkunku's former club PSG are all chasing the 23-year-old's signature - according to Daily Mail.

Related topics:RB LeipzigChelseaChampions LeagueArsenal