AC Milan are close to agreeing a deal to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku for around £36million, the PA news agency understands.
The 27-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, has been given permission to travel to Italy for a medical as details of the move are finalised.
The move to Serie A brings to an end a frustrating two years that followed a £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023, with injury having badly disrupted his first campaign before struggling to break into the team last season under Enzo Maresca.
He has not been in the squad for either of the Blues’ first two games of the Premier League season with Maresca having made it clear he is not a part of his plans.
Initially signed as the solution to the club’s lack of a proven goalscorer, he sustained a serious knee injury during a pre-season fixture against Borussia Dortmund shortly after joining, eventually going on to make only 11 Premier League appearances in his first season.
He struggled for starts in the league last season under Maresca with most of his appearances coming in cup competitions and in the club’s successful Conference League campaign.
Once the move goes through it will free up Chelsea’s hand as they seek to finalise deals for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
PA understands Netherlands international Simons was in London on Thursday to finalise his future ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, with Tottenham having joined Chelsea in the race for his signature.
Any deal for Simons could also be contingent on a resolution to Nicolas Jackson’s future.
Bayern Munich have made a loan bid take the striker off Chelsea’s hands but with the club preferring a permanent sale for the Senegal international, PA understands that Newcastle, Aston Villa and Napoli all remain in the race to sign him.
Jackson’s future is further complicated by the stand-off between Newcastle and Alexander Isak with the club awaiting a resolution to the stand-off before deciding whether to formally approach Chelsea.
