Inter Milan have joined the race to sign a Chelsea star who joined the club for £52.7million, according to a report.
The Blues' full focus has been on the Club World Cup, having reached the final of the newly-revamped competition, where they will face Champions League winners PSG for the right to be crowned world champions.
That hasn't stopped them being active in the transfer market, though. Joao Pedro and Liam Delap arrived for £60m and £30m respectively, while the likes of Jamie Gittens and Estevao have also joined.
Once again, though, they have been left with an inflated squad, and are expected to offload players when they have finished competing in the United States this summer.
One of the players to leave could well be Christopher Nkunku, who joined the Blues two years ago from RB Leipzig but has struggled for consistency at Stamford Bridge and failed to nail down a regular spot in the team.
Now, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter Milan are the latest side to have offered the 27-year-out a route out of the club after registering their interest in his services.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in securing the Frenchman's signature and the Blues appear ready to part with him, despite signing the 27-year-old on a six-year deal for a hefty fee just two years ago.
The Red Devils have already made contact with Nkunku, according to L'Equipe, while a swap deal with United outcast Alejandro Garnacho heading the other way has been touted.
BILD state that Bayern Munich are also in talks with Nkunku's agent Pini Zahavim, but little progress has been made thus far.
Inter are looking to rebuild their attack under new manager Cristian Chivu on the back of a tough campaign last year. They did reach the Champions League final, but were humbled by PSG and Simone Inzaghi departed for Al-Hilal.
Speaking after Chelsea's final Club World Cup group game, a 3-0 win over ES Tunis, meanwhile, Blues manager Maresca failed to offer any guarantees over Nkunku's future, revealing 'anything can happen' in the window.
The Italian boss said: 'If Christo [Nkunku] is here with us, it is because we think he can help us and he can be with us even next season. But as you said, there are many speculations, not just about Christo, about many players.
'And then if something is going to happen, I don't know because we said many times when the transfer window is open, anything can happen in terms of players that can arrive or players that can leave.'
Mosdeilpy
1
nkunku is good for chelsea dont like
teadikmps
0
Chelsea vs PSG
Fiediknopr
0
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you will be a coach to the future you have football brain that's a best lineup ever
yepacklrz
2
my team
Puoablstu
0
With 40m deal done with any team but I preferred he goes to Inter rather
yipbdkmntz
0
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I like this formation
pahabdiuz
0
Man United sells cheap but struggling to buy expensive players of equal strengths like ours. Rashford scored 30 goals in one season and still has the potential to repeat that record if put under a good Manager. Why should Man U sell Rashford, Garnarcho and even Anthoney very very cheap?
olubukolaemmanuel
0
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chalobah can't play psg,tosin should come in instead
wenbimnpt
1
he's not going cheap either..the rumored 35m is a trap to draw teams in..he's worth more than that
AFervpkM5251
0
In all seriousness, Maresca has been playing Christopher Nkunku out of position. But if we can at least recover half the money we spent on him 2 years ago, it’s an okay deal.
You Dey observe well He played very well in our last game
bepadmoprz
4
Pehcdlmnrt
1
Nkunku is not better than Noni they are him now to see if he can pick up from for clubs to come take him away
Bicacdlstz
4
In all seriousness, Maresca has been playing Christopher Nkunku out of position. But if we can at least recover half the money we spent on him 2 years ago, it’s an okay deal.