Christopher Nkunku Re-Signs with RB Leipzig Amid Man Utd Interest

Christopher Nkunku with France national team in 2022
Christopher Nkunku with France national team in 2022. Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/CSM/Shutterstock (12971998ik)

Highly-rated French attacking midfielder Christopher Nkunku is staying with RB Leipzig despite interest from several major European clubs. The Bundesliga side announced that Nkunku inked a new deal with the club and is now under contract until the summer of 2026.

“I am pleased to continue wearing the RB Leipzig shirt,” said Nkunku in a statement. “After our great achievement in winning the DFB-Pokal [German Cup], it remained clear that my story here isn’t over yet – we want more.”

Nkunku had a breakthrough campaign in 2021-22 that saw him score 35 goals and dish 19 assists in all competitions. In UEFA Champions League alone, he scored seven goals and had two assists in just six games. These stellar performances earned him a call-up to France national team as well, and he already has six appearances on the international stage. 

Nkunku’s rise to stardom captured the attention of heavyweights like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Man Utd was reportedly particularly high on Nkunku but ended up prioritizing other candidates that new head coach Erik Ten Hag prefers.

Despite committing to Leipzig for four more years, it is hard to see Nkunku remaining with the club that long if he continues playing well. Interest clubs will be able to get him at a discount in the future, as his new contract contains a release clause of €60 million. It will reportedly be valid starting from summer 2023.

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