- Christopher Nkunku has fought for regular time at Chelsea this season
- Nkunku has scored 13 goals but has started just three times in the top flight
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Manchester United have inquired about the possibility of Christopher Nkunku being loaned to Chelsea.
Nkunku, 27, has endured a frustrating 18 months since joining the Blues from RB Leipzig for £52million in the summer of 2023.
After sitting out much of last season, the Frenchman has started just three Premier League games this time around and has mainly appeared in cup competitions for Enzo Maresca's side.
Nkunku, who has still scored 13 goals, has struggled to dislodge Nicolas Jackson in attack, while Cole Palmer's form has prevented the 27-year-old from playing in midfield.
Mail Sport has previously reported that Nkunku has become frustrated with his lack of playing time, with the attacker eager to ensure he plays regular football to maintain his place in the France team.
News of United's interest in him, which is seen as having an outside chance of materialising, sees Chelsea expected to bid for Napoli Target and Red Devils star Alejandro Garnacho.
Man United have asked about the possibility of Christopher Nkunku receiving a loan from Chelsea
Nkunku has impressed in cup competitions but has struggled for playing time in the league
Signing Nkunku would be a big boost for United United boss Ruben Amorim
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are also looking for Nkunku, while Chelsea would like Bayern Mathys Tel.
Mail Sport previously reported that Nkunku has agreed to go to Bayern if they meet Chelsea's £70million asking price.
That is made more intriguing by the fact that the Blues have a long-standing interest in teenager Tel, having also reviewed his availability in the summer.
Nkunku is currently tied to a deal that lasts until 2029 and Chelsea are believed to value him at over £60m.
The striker has appeared off the bench 16 times in the Premier League this season, although he has shown his class in cup competitions, scoring 11 goals in 10 games in the Europa Conference League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
When asked earlier this season, Blues boss Enzo Maresca denied that Nkunku was unhappy with his playing time.
“Not at all,” he said. “I spoke with Christo days ago, he did not say that he is not happy.”
After declaring that Nkunku was “absolutely not” for sale, Maresca added: “The problem with Christo, not the problem, but the same problem that we have mentioned many times; If you play with Cole (Palmer), Joao (Felix), Christo, Jadon (Sancho) or Noni (Madueke) – Who defends?
'His ability is not defending. In the last game, we tried Joao and Cole together.
Nkunku has scored 13 goals in 29 games, although 11 of these have been in cup competitions
United's interest in Nkunku comes as Chelsea prepare a bid for Alejandro Garnacho
'Probably Christo's best moment with us has been in the preseason, playing in his position.
'Since we started, he's been playing as a nine for us. Against City, he played as a winger; Know that this is not your best position. His best position is like a 10, but Cole is playing there. We need balance.
Any move to United for Nkunku would be a huge boost for Ruben Amorim, with the embattled Portuguese boss having won six, and lost seven, of his 16 games in charge since joining Sporting Lisbon in November.
Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo have impressed since their arrival, but Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho have struggled for form, while Antony has joined Real Betis on loan and Marcus Rashford has been frozen out.
The feeling is that United need to generate cash from a Garnacho sale this month to help them navigate PSR restrictions later.
United want £60m but Napoli, who are competing for him with Chelsea, have so far offered around £50m.
