RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has already undergone a medical with Chelsea, according to reports in Germany.
The 24-year-old was one of the standout stars in the Bundesliga last season with 20 goals and 13 assists.
Nkunku has already been linked with several clubs across Europe, and was even recommended to Manchester United by their former manager Ralf Rangnick.
But according to Bild, it’s Chelsea who are currently leading the race to sign the France international.
The report claims that Nkunku had a medical with Chelsea at a neutral facility in Frankfurt just before the end of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea are aiming to sign Nkunku next summer, while the player has a €60 million [£52.8m] buyout clause in his deal with RB Leipzig.
In June, Nkunku signed a new contract with RB Leipzig which keeps him tied to the Bundesliga club until 2026.
‘Christopher Nkunku has developed outstandingly with us, so we decided early on not to give him away,’ RB Leipzig’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said in the summer.
‘The extension was an important step for us for sporting and economic reasons.’
Chelsea also hold an interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol after failing to sign him in the closing stages of the summer window.
But after Chelsea’s approach was rejected, Gvardiol signed a new contract with RB Leipzig which now runs until 2027.
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