Chelsea have confirmed that Christopher Nkunku will miss their 2023-24 Premier League opening fixture against Liverpool.
The forward joined the Stamford Bridge outfit from RB Leipzig for £52 million earlier this summer. However, he suffered a knee injury in a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the club’s final friendly during their pre-season tour of America.
Head coach Mauricio Pochetinno had been hopeful that Nkunku’s issue wouldn’t be too serious. But the 25-year-old, who hit a total of 70 goals in four campaigns at Leipzig, is set for an extended period on the sidelines. A Chelsea statement said: “Christopher Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period.
“The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”
It’s been yet another hectic transfer window at Chelsea. During the first season under the ownership of Todd Boehly, some £600 million was paid out in transfer fees – yet they finished just 12th in the Premier League.
Having sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter along the way, the Blues have turned to Pochetinno to ensure the club are again in the upper echelons of the table.
The likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta have all departed – although more exits are expected.
Chelsea paid £97.5 million for Romelu Lukaku to return to the club in the summer of 2021. Yet two years later, he finds himself frozen out having spent last season on loan at Inter Milan.
Lukaku has not been assigned a squad number for the upcoming season, which is a clear message that he’s surplus to requirements. He’s not the only one, however, with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi also seemingly on the transfer list.
Chelsea gazump Liverpool’s latest offer for £50million-rated Romeo Lavia
Chelsea have made a bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, Fabrizio Romano revealed.
The offer is believed to be in the region of £48million, which is nearer to Saints’ £50m valuation than Liverpool’s most recent proposal.
Liverpool have had three bids rejected by Saints for the former Manchester City man, with their most recent offer believed to be up to £45m.
The Reds have spent much of the window negotiating with the Championship club over the price of Lavia.
Following their latest setback earlier this week, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher called on his former club to walk away from the deal.
“This is embarrassing,” Carragher tweeted on Monday.
“Liverpool for years now have got deals done quickly with no fuss.
If you don’t think he’s worth £50m move on, if you really want him pay it.
“Also not sure why LFC aren’t in for [Moises] Caicedo, yes it’s a lot of money but Liverpool got big money for JH [Jordan Henderson] /FAB [Fabinho].”
And now they face the prospect of losing Lavia to a rival club, although Chelsea’s offer is still short of Southampton’s asking price.
The Belgium international joined the south coast club in a £14m deal from Man City last summer and is contracted at St Mary’s until the summer of 2027.
He performed well in his debut season at Southampton but failed to help them avoid relegation from the Premier League.
This approach for Lavia suggests Chelsea may have given up hope of signing Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea have had offers of £70m and £80m rejected with the Seagulls understood to be after £90m for the Ecuador international.