Arsenal linked with surprise move for Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku

Arsenal are reportedly considering a surprise move for out of favour Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku in the summer transfer window.

Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in June 2023 for £52million but has endured a nightmare stint at Stamford Bridge.

The France international saw his first season sidetracked after undergoing knee surgery and his attempts to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino's reckoning during the second half of the campaign were hindered by struggles for form and fitness.

Enzo Maresca's appointment presented a new opportunity for Nkunku to make his mark but the 27-year-old has grown accustomed to a reserve role under the Italian, with the majority of his starts coming in the UEFA Conference League.

Chelsea are reportedly keen to try and recoup their losses on Nkunku in the summer window and several clubs are supposedly interested in the former Paris Saint-Germain starlet, including a surprise link to Mikel Arteta's Gunners.

In a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are understood to be weighing up a move for Nkunku over the coming months as they look to replenish their forward options.

Amid links to Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, a new number nine appears to be a priority for Arsenal in the off-season but there is still scope for the club to make some bold additions in their attacking department.

The expiry of Raheem Sterling's loan opens up a vacancy and Arteta's tactical blueprint would compliment a player of Nkunku's intelligence and creativity.

Nkunku only has to glance at the revival of Kai Havertz to see that relocating from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates could be a fruitful decision at a delicate stage of his career.

Barcelona are another outfit to be linked with Nkunku, although their precarious financial situation will likely hinder their pursuit, while a return to the Bundesliga could also be on the cards for the forward.

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