Christopher Nkunku is increasingly close to completing a return to RB Leipzig after the Bundesliga club reached a verbal agreement with AC Milan over a season-long loan.
The proposed deal would see Leipzig pay Milan a loan fee of £3.4 million (€4m), with an option to buy the France international for around £24 million (€28m), according to reports from Sky in Italy and Germany.
The agreement between the clubs represents a significant breakthrough, although the transfer has not yet been formally completed. Recent reports in Germany and Italy also indicate that Leipzig have moved ahead of Newcastle United in the race for the 28-year-old.
Nkunku favours Leipzig over Newcastle
Milan have explored several possible destinations for Nkunku, with Premier League side Newcastle among the clubs offered the forward.
Newcastle’s interest has been serious, and Italian reports suggested the Magpies were prepared to offer Milan more favourable financial terms. However, Nkunku’s preference has consistently been a return to Leipzig.
That preference has helped put the German club in pole position despite competition for his signature.
The move would give Nkunku the opportunity to return to the club where he enjoyed the most productive period of his career.
Four successful seasons in Germany
Nkunku spent four seasons at Leipzig between 2019 and 2023 after joining from Paris Saint-Germain.
He developed into one of the Bundesliga’s leading attacking players during that spell, scoring 70 goals in 172 appearances across all competitions and providing 56 assists.
His performances earned him the Bundesliga Player of the Season award for the 2021-22 campaign, before he finished as the league’s joint top scorer the following season.
Nkunku then moved to Chelsea in 2023 before joining Milan two years later.
Milan ready to sanction departure
Nkunku’s future at Milan has become increasingly uncertain this summer, with reports in Italy indicating he is no longer central to the club’s plans.
Newcastle and Leipzig both contacted Milan about a potential transfer, but the player’s desire to return to Germany has proved important as negotiations developed.
Leipzig and Milan have now reached an agreement in principle, leaving the remaining formalities to be resolved before Nkunku can seal his return to the Red Bull Arena.
