Sadio Mane’s decision to leave Liverpool this summer could deal an indirect blow to Chelsea in their pursuit of Christopher Nkunku. An Athletic report states that Mané has made the decision to leave the Reds during the summer transfer window with Bayern Munich who are interested.
The 30-year-old is now expected to inform Liverpool of his desire to leave Anfield in the coming days after the Reds were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final. While not having a direct impact on Chelsea, it could affect the club’s transfer plans this summer.
The Blues are interested in signing Nkunku from RB Leipzig this summer. football.london understands, after the sensational season of the Bundesliga 2021/22 of the Frenchman. The West Londoners have a long-term interest in the 24-year-old, who scored 20 goals in the top German category during the recently concluded season.
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Chelsea are about to enter the transfer market for an attacker to try to improve the team’s fortune in front of goal. Mason Mount finished the 2021/22 season as the club’s top scorer in the Premier League after hitting 11 times.
Nkunku could be Chelsea’s man in this regard, as the Frenchman proved his clinical nature in Germany last time. Liverpool, however, have also been linked with a play for the Leipzig striker.
The Reds have a wide variety of options for their three forwards. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Mane are often rotated by Jurgen Klopp, but in the hope that the latter of the five will leave, the club could intensify their search for Nkunku.
If not Nkunku, Liverpool could be Ousmane Dembele. According to SPORT, the Reds have “contacted” the French international’s entourage for a free transfer this summer.
Chelsea had a keen interest in Dembele during the January transfer window. However, Thomas Tuchel confirmed when the window was closed that he had no contact with the French winger, who he led during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The Chelsea coach said: “I had no contact with Ousmane. There was no contact in the winter.”
It remains to be seen whether the Blues remain interested in Dembele under the new ownership. However, the Barcelona winger will not be short of suitors this summer, as he will become a free agent at the end of his contract.
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