It is no secret that Newcastle United need to sign some quality players before this transfer window closes. One of the areas where they need to strengthen is up top. Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa were signed last summer but neither was able to convince, scoring a combined 14 goals in the previous campaign.
Over the past 24 hours, Newcastle United have been linked with a player who has experience at clubs like Chelsea, PSG, RB Leipzig and AC Milan.
According to a report from The Article, Newcastle United have explored a deal for AC Milan’s Christopher Nkunku. No club-to-club talks are said to have taken place yet between the parties. But personal terms have been agreed in principle as a result of discussions on the player’s side that occurred this week.
Obviously, if Newcastle United are able to sign Nkunku, it would have to be considered a major coup. While his time at Chelsea might not have been a success, nobody can deny the Frenchman’s pedigree.
Christopher Nkunku is a top talent
He started out at PSG before moving to RB Leipzig. It is there that Nkunku found his biggest successes. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in the 21/22 campaign. He followed that up by becoming the league’s top goalscorer in the following campaign.
So, on the right team, Nkunku can deliver. Unfortunately, Chelsea was not that place for him, as it has not been for so many other talents in recent times.
Still, Nkunku did score 15 goals in the 24/25 campaign, despite being a backup option for Chelsea. And when he joined AC Milan, it was largely expected to be a success.
It has not been so far. He scored 8 goals for AC Milan last season. And it looks like the Italian giants might already be ready to move on.
A transfer fee north of €35 million could be needed to sign Nkunku. And to be honest, in the modern transfer market, that is a reasonable figure, even for someone who is 28 years of age.
Why Nkunku might succeed at Newcastle United
Nkunku has proven himself at a top level already. He has played 18 times for the French national team. And even though he has not scored a lot of goals lately, when you break down his numbers to per 90 minutes, they are not bad at all.
Under the right circumstances, he could still be an excellent contributor. And Newcastle United badly need a consistent goalscorer right now.
At Newcastle United, Nkunku would once again be the main man, just like he used to be at RB Leipzig. And perhaps that is what a player like him needs.
Nkunku’s failed stint at Chelsea means that signing him would come with a fair share of risk. After all, you are bringing in someone who has already struggled in England and might not have much transfer value if it does not work out at a third club on the trot.
That being said, there is a high reward as well. At the end of the day, this is a striker who managed to top the Bundesliga scoring charts despite playing just 25 times that season.
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