Chelsea can use Man City’s Champions League draw for ideal transfer opportunity | Football | Sport

Nkunku has carried his sensational goalscoring form from 2021-22 into the current campaign, bagging 14 goals in 19 appearances across the Bundesliga and Champions League this season. The Frenchman scored 35 goals in all competitions last season, in addition to providing 17 assists for his team-mates, catching the eye of Europe’s elite.

Although he is rated at around £90m by his club, Nkunku’s release clause of just £60m has put Leipzig in a poor bargaining position.

Chelsea are so determined to land both he and Gvardiol that they are prepared to exceed the minimum fee written into his contract to maintain their good relations with Leipzig and steal a march on Madrid, who are understood to be interested in Nkunku.

And if the pair show their worth by helping their club knock out Champions League favourites City, it would only serve as further evidence that Boehly should pull the trigger on their huge double deal for the highly-rated duo.