Arsenal to offer frustrated Chelsea forward escape route

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·31 December 2024

Arsenal to offer frustrated Chelsea forward escape route

Arsenal could offer Christopher Nkunku a route out of Chelsea in the January transfer window.

Nkunku is understood to be unsettled at Chelsea having struggled for a prominent role this season. The France international has started just three games and totalled only 391 minutes in the Premier League.

OneFootball Videos

His sporadic opportunities come despite a prolific record when selected. Nkunku is Chelsea’s joint-leading scorer in all competitions having netted 12 times from just 12 starts.

Last week, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said he wants to keep the 27-year-old at the club.

“We like Christo and we want him here and there will always be players that are not happy,” Maresca said. “I am not sure if that will be Christo’s case. We want to keep him here because we are happy with him.

“We aren’t thinking about players who want to leave. We are not thinking that this or that player has to leave. We are just thinking about how to win games. If they knock on the door and they want to leave, I’m not going to say: ‘No, no, you have to stay here, 100%’.

“If they want to leave, the best thing for everyone is that the players who aren’t happy are going to leave.”

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are monitoring his situation. Mikel Arteta wants to bring in a forward during the January transfer window as Arsenal look to make up ground on Liverpool in the title race. Bukayo Saka is set to miss at least two months having undergone hamstring surgery, with Kai Havertz’s the club’s leading league scorer on just seven goals.

Nkunku would offer goal threat and a versatile option to the Arsenal forward line, if the Gunners can persuade Chelsea to sanction a deal.

The London rivals have done a range of business in recent transfer windows, including the transfers of Jorginho and Havertz from Chelsea to Arsenal. However, given both teams boast similar records in the Premier League so far this season, there could be reluctance from Chelsea to strengthen a direct rival.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Delap, Salah, Burn

See more – Premier League Awards: Forest flying, Ipswich break duck