United: Target Christopher Nkunku 'set to stay at RB Leipzig next season'

Manchester United's hopes of signing Christopher Nkunku have reportedly taken a hit, with RB Leipzig insisting that the French international will play for them next season.

Nkunku has enjoyed a superb season for the Bundesliga side, and United, who are set to begin their rebuild with incoming manager Erik ten Hag, have been keeping close tabs on him.

However, the side who sit third in the Bundesliga, reportedly have no plans on parting with their player.

Leipzig president Oliver Mintzlaff has told Sky Sports, as per the Independent: 'Nkunku will be our player next year.'

Mintzlaff though did go on to add that 'in football, nobody is unsellable.'

Ralf Rangnick, United's current interim coach, will step into an advisory role at the end of the campaign, and it is understood that he is an admirer of Nkunku.

Indeed, Rangnick helped lure the forward from PSG to Leipzig in 2019, and he was reportedly stunned after discovering United's scouts were not monitoring him.

A number of other clubs are interested in the player who it has previously been reported is valued around £54million.

The Red Devils are not the only club to have been alerted by his performances, with clubs including Inter Milan and Arsenal said to be interested.

After netting just 12 times in his opening 84 appearances for the German side, this season he has flourished in front of goal.

He has netted 30 times in just 45 games, notably including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Nkunku’s superb form also saw him earn his first international cap for France back in March.

He is under contract with Leipzig until 2024, so the club are not in any rush to sell their star forward at the end of the season.