Nkunku Edges Closer to Chelsea Exit as Garnacho Move Gains Momentum

AC Milan have completed an agreement to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku in a transfer worth around £36 million, including add-ons. According to BBC Sport, the French striker has accepted a pay cut to make the move possible and has agreed to a five-year contract with the Italian side.

He has also been granted permission to travel to Italy for a medical as the deal edges towards completion. Chelsea have inserted a sell-on clause into the agreement, ensuring they benefit financially should Milan decide to move him on in the future.

The deal ends Nkunku’s two-year spell in London after joining from RB Leipzig in 2023.

For Chelsea, the move carries significance beyond the pitch. The London club are under pressure to comply with earlier this summer.

Part of those sanctions require the Blues to maintain a positive transfer balance in order to register new players for the Champions League. The sale of Nkunku contributes to that objective, while also helping the club reshape its squad ahead of the new season.

So far this summer, Chelsea have raised about £309m from player sales while spending close to £277m on new arrivals. Those numbers could shift further if the club finalises a deal for Alejandro Garnacho, who has emerged as a priority target.

Nkunku’s time at Stamford Bridge, although relatively short, was not without highlights. Signed for around £52m from RB Leipzig, he arrived with high expectations after making a name for himself in Germany as one of the Bundesliga’s most creative and versatile forwards. In two seasons with Chelsea, he registered 18 goals and five assists in 62 appearances.

Though injuries and tactical changes meant he never fully became the team’s central figure, his impact in key matches was clear. He played an important part in Chelsea winning both the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League this year, adding silverware to his record and giving supporters moments to celebrate.

His move to Milan offers a fresh start and a new challenge. At 27, Nkunku is entering what should be the peak years of his career. For AC Milan, bringing in a forward of his quality and experience is a significant statement of intent. The Italian club continue to strengthen their squad to compete at the top of Serie A and in Europe, and Nkunku’s versatility will be a major asset. He can operate as a striker, second forward, or even in wide attacking roles, giving manager Stefano Pioli more tactical flexibility. If he adapts quickly to Italian football, he could prove to be one of the smartest signings of the summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s focus shifts to potential reinforcements, with BBC Sport reporting that the club are pushing forward in negotiations to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.

The 21-year-old Argentine has not played for United this season and has been training away from the first-team group. While no transfer fee has been finalised, sources close to the talks suggest a deal is edging closer.

Garnacho has long been viewed as one of the most promising young talents at United, but his situation at Old Trafford has raised doubts about his long-term future there.

Chelsea see him as a player who fits their strategy of signing younger, high-potential talents who can develop with the squad. His direct running, pace, and ability to beat defenders would add a new dimension to their attacking options.

There is also movement surrounding Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is currently in discussions with Bayern Munich. Reports suggest an initial loan deal is on the table, with the possibility of an obligation to buy. Jackson has shown flashes of talent since joining Chelsea but has struggled with consistency in front of goal.

A move to Bayern could give him the chance to find more stability, while also allowing Chelsea to trim their squad and reduce pressure in the attacking department.

From Chelsea’s perspective, the transfer activity highlights a shift in approach. After years of heavy spending without always achieving results, the club appear to be adopting a more balanced strategy. They are still pursuing ambitious signings, but they are also making tough decisions about when to sell established players.

Nkunku’s departure is an example of this: while he remains a talented and valuable player, the club decided that the financial and strategic benefits of the sale outweighed the risks of letting him go.

For Milan, the acquisition of Nkunku underlines their ambition to compete at the highest level. The Rossoneri are constantly looking to reinforce their squad with players who can make an immediate impact, and in Nkunku, they are bringing in someone with proven experience in both domestic and European competition. His arrival is expected to excite Milan supporters and add another layer of firepower to a team that is aiming to return to the top of Italian football.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will be eager to finalise the Garnacho deal and continue reshaping their squad before the transfer window closes.

The situation also raises broader questions about how the club will balance the pursuit of young stars with the need for experienced leaders. Garnacho, while talented, is still developing, and his adjustment to a new club will take time.

The Blues will need to ensure they have the right mix of youth and experience if they are to achieve their goals in both the Premier League and Europe this season.

As for Nkunku, his legacy at Chelsea will be remembered as brief but impactful. He leaves with silverware, respectable statistics, and a sense that he contributed positively during a period of transition for the club. At the same time, his departure is symbolic of Chelsea’s new reality—where financial management, squad building, and regulatory compliance are as important as individual performances.

This transfer window has shown that Chelsea are willing to be pragmatic, even when it involves saying goodbye to players with real ability. With UEFA’s financial rules looming large, every decision carries weight. Whether the Blues can balance ambition with stability will be one of the defining storylines of their season.

According to BBC Sport, the Nkunku deal is expected to be completed shortly, with only formalities and a medical standing in the way.

If Chelsea can quickly secure Garnacho and resolve the future of Nicolas Jackson, they will enter the new campaign with a squad that looks different, but perhaps better aligned with both their financial and competitive goals. For AC Milan, the focus will now be on integrating their new star and unlocking his best form in Serie A.

At the end of it all, Nkunku’s move is more than just a transfer. It is a reflection of the shifting priorities of two of Europe’s biggest clubs, and a reminder that in modern football, success on the pitch is inseparable from the realities of finance and strategy off it.

BBC