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Manchester United are looking into the possibility of signing Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku on transfer deadline day.
United’s need for attacking reinforcements was highlighted in Sunday’s dismal defeat to Crystal Palace as Ruben Amorim opted against starting a recognised striker.
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was deployed as a false nine, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee – who cost more than £100m combined – both named on the bench.
Amorim’s attacking options will be cut even further by Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa, although the 27-year-old has not featured in well over a month since being frozen out by the struggling Old Trafford.
Manchester United have been working on a deal for French forward Mathys Tel in recent days but talks with Bayern Munich have reportedly collapsed.
Tel, 19, was keen to join the Red Devils after turning down a £50m move to Tottenham but Bayern and United were unable to agree terms.
That has led Manchester United, currently just 12th in the Premier League, to look at other options and revive their interest in Chelsea forward Nkunku.
Chelsea spent more than £50m to sign Nkunku from RB Leipzig in 2023 but the Frenchman has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge.
He made just 14 appearances during an injury-plagued first season at Chelsea and has slipped down the pecking order this term under Enzo Maresca, starting just three league games.
Nkunku is believed to be keen on a move to get more playing time and was heavily linked with Bayern Munich earlier in the window, although any move to the Allianz Arena would be dependent on Tel first departing.
Manchester United have also expressed interest in a deal and are pushing to sign the wantaway forward on deadline day, according to ESPN.
It is claimed Chelsea are open to a deadline-day move for Nkunku and could even look to sign United winger Alejandro Garnacho as part of the deal.
Chelsea have been monitoring Garnacho’s situation over the past two weeks after United indicated they would be willing to sell the academy graduate.
But Amorim recently suggested he was keen to keep the Argentina international at the club, having offered him an olive branch since leaving him out of December’s Manchester derby – along with Rashford – for failing to meet his standards.
Several former Manchester United players have said it would be a mistake to sell Garnacho and Gary Neville cannot see the logic in a swap deal with Nkunku.
The Old Trafford legend told NBC Sports: ‘I don’t get it for United. Nkunku’s hardly kicked a ball, he obviously had the injury when he first came in but he’s struggled to get going at Chelsea.
‘I’m not saying Garnacho is the best player in the world and that he he needs to stay at Manchester United. If they get good money for him then okay that might work.”
‘But to swap him for Nkunku, I have to say that doesn’t feel like I move I would do if I was Manchester United. I can see why you would do it if you were Chelsea.’
Nkunku scored 70 goals in 172 appearances for his former club RB Leipzig but has just five in 30 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
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