Chelsea First Summer Signing  To Be Announced This Week

Chelsea Football Club is on the verge of making their first summer signing as manager Mauricio Pochettino prepares to welcome Christopher Nkunku to the team later this week, according to reports.

Despite the deal for the playmaker being agreed upon since January, the official announcement of his arrival at Stamford Bridge is yet to be made.

Pochettino aims to rebuild the attacking line of the Blues this summer, with Romelu Lukaku showing a strong desire to continue his career at Inter Milan and hesitating to make a return to the Premier League.

Chelsea is evaluating several strikers, including Lautaro Martinez and Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.

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In addition to traditional strikers, the Blues are also exploring options for players who can operate off a central No 9 position, and Nkunku’s signing perfectly fits that role.

The French international is expected to join the club in a transfer worth up to £63 million from RB Leipzig, making it a significant coup for Chelsea.

According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, the long-awaited arrival of the former Paris Saint-Germain star could be officially announced this week, as the deal has been finalized for quite some time.

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Originally brought in for his versatility in the final third, given his ability to play in any position across the frontline, Nkunku now appears to be a direct replacement for Kai Havertz.

Meanwhile, Arsenal is actively pursuing a deal with their London rivals for the signature of the German international, who has expressed openness to the move and a desire to work under Mikel Arteta.

ESPN reports that Havertz has informed Chelsea of his intention not to extend his contract, making a £60 million deal more likely.

Havertz, who arrived from the Bundesliga, faced difficulties adapting to the Premier League, often being deployed as a makeshift striker, which did not fully utilize his strengths.

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Nkunku, having analyzed how his predecessor had to adapt to life in the Premier League, is expected to have learned valuable lessons.

Former France international Bixente Lizarazu believes that the young playmaker will have no problems making a seamless transition.

Lizarazu shared his thoughts, saying, “His development has been rapid and spectacular. He has become a complete player, capable of operating in almost any attacking position. His versatility is what makes him so strong and valuable.”

“His freshness and self-confidence allowed him to excel in a challenging environment like Leipzig, where he assumed increasing responsibility. Now, he gives the impression that he is ready for the next step.”

As Chelsea’s fans eagerly await the announcement of Christopher Nkunku’s arrival, the anticipation grows for the impact he will make on the team’s attack, bringing his skills, versatility, and confidence to contribute to the club’s success in the upcoming season.