Chelsea accept AC Milan offer for Christopher Nkunku in deal worth up to €42m as Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Aston Villa miss out

After months of speculations and discussions, the London club has finally received a proposal that matches their interest. Milan's package of €35m (£30m/$40m) upfront and €7m in bonuses is close to what the Blues were seeking for and have thus accepted it, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. The attacking midfielder and forward signed for Chelsea in 2023 and has since made 62 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Milan have also reportedly reached personal terms agreement with the player offering him a five-year contract. The clubs have reached a verbal agreement and are working on the final documents. Nkunku's career in the Premier League did not turn out as expected due to a combination of injury troubles, an incompatible tactical system under coach Enzo Maresca, and eventually losing out on his key role at the club. The 27-year-old mostly spent his time on the sidelines at Stamford Bridge and this summer the London club were actively pushing to sell him.

Bundesliga side Bayern Munich came close to signing Nkunku but a deal couldn't be worked on after the reigning German champions pushed for a loan deal. The Blues, who were seeking to offload him permanently, swiftly declined Bayern's approach. Premier League side Aston Villa were also in talks while a deal with RB Leipzig was being worked on which would have seen Nkunku go the other way in exchange for Xavi Simons. Leipzig's demand for Nkunku to take a "75 per cent" pay-cut was enough for him to turn down their proposal.

With Nkunku's sale, the Blues can finally work on their pending deals before the transfer window closes. Alejandro Garnacho, Fermin Lopez and Simons are the three player's the Club World Cup winners are pursuing.