Chelsea are set to use Tottenham the same way they have Arsenal over the years after their rivals were linked with one of their players. The Blues have again made a raft of signings this summer, and are still pursuing the likes of Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.
Joao Felix is one player to have been sold to offset costs, while several others are currently training alone after being told they have no future at the club. Two outcasts have also travelled across London to the Emirates, with Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga both signing for Mikel Arteta. They follow the likes of Jorginho, Willian, and Petr Cech, who have also crossed the divide over the years.
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Now, Christopher Nkunku is in line to be sold to raise funds. He’s made 62 club appearances since his move from RB Leipzig two years ago, but most of them as a substitute after failing to impress Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca.
Injury problems have also contributed to his inconsistent form. Nkunku, 27, did appear in six of seven games as the club landed the Club World Cup this summer, but that seemingly hasn’t been enough to salvage his career at Stamford Bridge.
He signed for a £52million fee, although he is likely to be sold for around £20m. This time around, however, it’s Spurs, and not their North London rivals, who the Blues will use to ship off perceived dead wood.
Spurs are being linked with a move for the French forward. Despite the signings of Mathys Tel and Mihammed Kudus, Thomas Frank is said to be looking for more squad depth following James Maddison's long-term injury.
Nkunku isn’t one of the players currently training away from the first-team squad. However, the arrivals of Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens, with a deal for Simons also expected to be completed imminently, will only limit his gametime further.
He had previously been linked with a move to Manchester United. However, they instead focused their attention on signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and have now submitted a bid for Benjamin Sesko, who was billed as Nkunku’s replacement when he signed for Leipzig.