Christopher Nkunku is reportedly not part of Ruben Amorim's plans at AC Milan, potentially opening the door for Manchester United to sign a player they have tracked for four years. The French forward has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since 2022.
Nkunku's Chelsea and Milan struggles
The 28-year-old joined Chelsea for £52 million in 2023, but injuries and poor form saw his time in west London end in disappointment. After scoring 70 goals in 172 appearances for RB Leipzig, Nkunku managed just 60 games for Chelsea with 18 goals. Falling behind Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge led to a move to Serie A side AC Milan on a five-year deal worth £35 million, where he made 35 appearances and scored eight goals.
According to Sky Italia, Amorim no longer wants Nkunku at the San Siro. The forward is reportedly among a group of players deemed surplus to requirements, including Fikayo Tomori, Pervis Estupinan, Santiago Gimenez, Youssouf Fofana, David Odogu and Filippo Terracciano.
Amorim's rebuild at Milan
Amorim, 41, was appointed as Milan's new boss in June. The Portuguese, who left United in January, is planning a major squad overhaul after an underwhelming pre-season tour, which included a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. Nkunku appears to have no future under the former Sporting manager.
United first took notice of Nkunku four years ago, when then-manager Ralf Rangnick expressed interest in him during his time at RB Leipzig. However, the stumbling block was that United had no scouting reports on the player, and he was not on the club's shortlist.
United's attacking options
Nkunku was again linked with a move to Old Trafford during the winter transfer window in 2025, as part of a potential swap deal following Chelsea's interest in Alejandro Garnacho. But United's move fell through as they were unwilling to settle for a short-term solution.
Reds boss Michael Carrick has plenty of attacking options going into the new season. Benjamin Sesko, Mateus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Joshua Zirkzee are set to be joined by the returning Marcus Rashford, with no buyers for the United academy graduate so far this summer.
