RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has signed a new deal with the German side, extending his stay at the Red Bull Arena until 2026.
The Frenchman had an outstanding individual campaign in 2021-22, scoring 35 goals and providing 20 assists across all competitions, scooping up the Bundesliga Player of the Year award. This thrust him onto the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs. Premier League clubs Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were believed to be interested in signing him this summer but this announcement looks to have quashed all the speculation regarding his immediate future.
Nkunku’s new deal includes a significant increase to his salary and a release clause set at around £51 million has reportedly been included to invite his potential suitors to trigger it in the future as it reportedly activates next summer. It has been reported that Leipzig will not allow the 24-year-old to leave under any circumstances before the start of 2022-23 because he is considered integral to their plans for the upcoming season.
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For Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham, this news will be a minor bump in the road but for Manchester United this looks to be a significant blow. It was said that new boss Erik ten Hag was a big admirer of Nkunku and was he thought to be a high priority target this summer. And considering that the club’s business is yet to get underway, fans’ concerns will continue to grow as the new season draws closer and no new faces have come in.
This new contract is a signal of intent from Leipzig for the new term and it does reflect well on Nkunku who seems to have repaid the club by committing his future with them. They have provided him with the platform to flourish and he probably still feels that the Red Bull Arena is the best place for his development.
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