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Man United dealt transfer blow as direct PL rivals look to make £100m move for French international

Arsenal ready to meet RB Leipzig valuation for Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku.
Arsenal ready to meet RB Leipzig valuation for Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku. (Photo by Oliver Hardt/Getty Images)

Arsenal ready to meet RB Leipzig valuation for Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku

According to The Independent, Arsenal are willing to pay the price tag set by RB Leipzig for Christopher Nkunku, who is a target for Manchester United. He has attracted a host of attention from some of the top clubs across Europe and could be subjected to a transfer tussle for that very reason.

Man United have expressed their interest in signing Nkunku and had considered moving for him after their failure to sign Darwin Nunez. However, the former will not pay Leipzig’s £100million valuation for the attacker as it would significantly dent their £120million transfer budget before sales. Hence, it is unlikely that they will pursue him this summer.

The Gunners are ready to pay Nkunku’s asking price, with Paris Saint-Germain also being on the same boat. That would essentially see the Red Devils lose out on him permanently if either of those clubs completes a move for the French international. Liverpool have also been in the mix, but they are expected to pull out after signing Nunez.

Arsenal ready to meet RB Leipzig valuation for Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Christopher Nkunku is a transfer target for Man United. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Man Utd to lose out on another target?

Following Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata’s exit, there is an increased need to reinforce the forward department as soon as possible. That is especially the case when our other options like Marcus Rashford have not performed well throughout the entirety of the last season.

Mason Greenwood is out of contention, while Antony Martial looks to be on the way out of Old Trafford. Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho could use some more time before being thrown into the mix of regular top-flight football. Lastly, we must also prepare for life past Cristiano Ronaldo sooner rather than later.

Nkunku, who was exceptional for the German club last campaign, would have greatly solved a lot of our issues with his versatility. After all, signing him alone would have negated some of the problems in different positions as he can slot anywhere in the frontline without a drop in performance.

Man United are unlikely to pursue Christopher Nkunku this summer. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Man United are unlikely to pursue Christopher Nkunku this summer. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

However, if Mikel Arteta’s side or PSG would meet the Bundesliga club’s asking price, we may just see ourselves lose out on another target of ours. Then again, we could be handed a lifeline considering how the 24-year-old has a preference to remain in Germany this summer.

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Furthermore, the Frenchman appears to be in line to extend his contract with a release clause, so perhaps he may stay after all. As such, one could say that Leipzig’s decision to put such a high price tag could simply be due to their intention to ward off interest from elsewhere.

If that is the case, then we could have a shot at signing him after the next campaign, but whether that is the case or not would need to be seen in due time.

Written by Rijo Sam Daniel

A football enthusiast who is madly in love with the game

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