Last week, Bild reported that Christopher Nkunku had already had a medical, in Frankfurt, with Chelsea and the Blues were closing in on signing the RB Leipzig player.
Further reports from France and Germany questioned the Frankfurt claims but it was stated the Premier League club had reached an agreement in principle with Nkunku and would be prepared to pay his €60m release clause, which is applicable in the next summer window.
Real Madrid and Liverpool were presented as still keen and weren’t in the mood to give up, but it was made clear Chelsea has pushed way ahead in the transfer race.
Bild now cover claims from the UK, and state: ‘As “The Athletic” reports, there is already a preliminary contract. However, this is not legally possible, rather it is a declaration of intent. But contracts that only apply from summer 2023 can already be concluded now – if both clubs agree.’
Bild say Liverpool paid an extra €10m to secure Keita a year before his release clause was applicable, even though he didn’t actually move until 2018.
Whether Chelsea are doing the same (paying a premium) isn’t made clear.
