AC Milan Secures Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea in £36m Deal
AC Milan has reached an agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of forward Christopher Nkunku, valued at £36 million, including add-ons.
The 27-year-old is anticipated to accept a pay cut to join the Italian club on a five-year contract and has been granted permission to undergo a medical examination.
As part of the agreement, Chelsea has included a sell-on clause, marking the end of Nkunku's two-year tenure at Stamford Bridge.
This transfer carries broader implications for Chelsea, as negotiations are progressing to acquire winger Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
Additionally, striker Nicolas Jackson is in discussions regarding an initial loan move to Bayern Munich, which may include an obligation to purchase.
The sale of Nkunku allows Chelsea to report a profit in the transfer market, with an estimated £309 million raised compared to approximately £277 million spent on player acquisitions.
Player sales are crucial for Chelsea this summer due to UEFA sanctions, which impose a fine of €31 million (£26.7 million) and require the club to maintain a "positive transfer balance" to register new signings for the Champions League.
During his time at Chelsea, Nkunku scored 18 goals and provided five assists in 62 appearances after joining from RB Leipzig for around £52 million in 2023. The French international departs having played a key role in Chelsea's victories in the Club World Cup and Conference League this year.