Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has confirmed that Christopher Nkunku is a transfer target for the club in the January transfer window.
Earlier this month, The Peoples Person discussed a report claiming that Man United approached Chelsea to inquire about Nkunku’s availability.
It was later reported that United would need to fork out a fee of £52 million to convince Chelsea to part ways with the man they signed from RB Leipzig last year.
Now, Brown has decided to provide his insider’s information on United’s links to the French attacker.
“From what I hear, Man United are certainly interested,” Brown told Football Insider.
“I’m told he’s on their list of targets and one they could look to snap up either in January or the summer.”
In Brown’s view, Nkunku would be an ideal signing for United, not only because of his raw talent but also his suitability to Ruben Amorim’s style of play.
“He’s one of these modern-day players where he’s not really a striker, not really a midfielder, and not really a winger. He’s sort of a combination of all three,” Brown observed. “So when you look at Amorim’s Sporting team, the forwards are all quick and they play off the back of defenders and put them under pressure. Nkunku strikes me as the sort of player who would fit into that perfectly.”
In fact, Brown admitted that he was highly impressed by Nkunku’s skill before Chelsea snatched him up. “I watched him play a few years ago playing against Manchester City in the Champions League and he played in that sort of inside-right position. He caused all sorts of trouble for them with his pace and pressing that day. He scored a hattrick, but his team got beaten 6-3. I was staggered at what I saw. He was lethal,” Brown explained.
But while United missed out on what could have been a promising signing, Brown is hopeful that he may yet move to Old Trafford in the near future.
“Next thing I heard, he was going to Chelsea, but the situation they’re in now is difficult for him,” Brown declared. “It’s starting to cause problems for them because players as good as he is want to be playing every week, not just rotated for cup competitions.”
Earlier this week, The Peoples Person relayed that Nkunku has indeed lost patience with his lack of playing time at Chelsea and that he would force a transfer should his situation not improve.
Nkunku’s versatility would be a great asset to United, not only because of Amorim’s style but also the number of positions he can excel in. With Antony potentially headed for the exit door, the Chelsea star would be a more than suitable replacement.
What’s more, he can fill in as a striker, deputising Rasmus Hojlund on the chance that Joshua Zirkzee leaves the club.
Clearly, Nkunku would make for a valuable signing for United, and at his current price tag, – around £30 million cheaper than Antony – the club would do well to bring him to Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
