Manchester United target has ‘decided to leave’ RB Leipzig, but will he?

Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku has reported ‘decided to leave’ current club RB Leipzig this summer, but matters may be complicated by previous comments made by his club’s CEO and the fee that could be demanded.

Manchester United are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements this summer, with Cristiano Ronaldo now 37 years old, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani both set to leave for nothing at the end of the season, and question marks over the futures of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Jesse Lingard of Man Utd during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

With incoming boss Erik Ten Hag favouring a system similar to the high-press offered by RB Leipzig, and Ralf Rangnick’s connections with the club, a move for Nkunku makes sense even before his impressive season is considered.

The Frenchman, who made his national team debut this season, has scored 31 goals and provided 20 assists in 48 games across all competitions for his side, while his versatility has seen him play on either wing, as a number 10, or as a striker.

And, as per L’Equipe, the former PSG man has decided this summer is the one to move on in, with the French outlet claiming that ‘his decision isn’t based on RBL’s inability to challenge for trophies, but more on a desire to play with and against the European game’s best players on a weekly basis.’

Nkunku forced to stay?

Questions do arise from this however, not least the claim from the club hierarchy last month that he would be a RB Leipzig player next season. As per the same report,’ the club want to challenge for the Bundesliga and plan to invest heavily this summer, building their project around the former PSG player – who is under contract until 2024. Even an offer of €100m might not be accepted’.

Meanwhile, German outlet Bild suggests that even if the demanded fee is met, it could be a difficult deal to get over the line. They suggest that because his two national team caps don’t qualify him as a top foreigner, meaning that there would need to be approval from the Premier League governing body.

Additionally, there are question marks over just how secure his position in Didier Deschamp’s French squad is, and whether a move to Manchester United just three months before a World Cup would boost or hinder his progress for Les Blues. Looking at the plight of Jadon Sancho, it could well be the latter.

It could be one that drags on all summer long.

Read more:

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions & odds

Cádiz vs Elche betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Manchester United betting odds, next game:

Manchester United’s latest videos

Rangnick, Elanga & Varane React To Brentford Win! | Post-Match Reaction

Ralf Rangnick, Anthony Elanga and Raphael Varane give their post-match thoughts on the 3-0…

2022-05-03T00:50:41Z

Varane’s First United Goal! | Manchester United 3-0 Brentford | Highlights

Watch the highlights of our final match at Old Trafford this season against Brentford.…

2022-05-02T23:12:57Z

Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Manchester City	34	63	83
2	Liverpool FC	34	64	82
3	Chelsea FC	34	39	66
4	Arsenal FC	34	13	63
5	Tottenham Hotspur	34	20	61
6	Manchester United	36	5	58
7	West Ham United	35	7	52
8	Wolverhampton Wanderers	34	1	49
9	Brighton & Hove Albion	35	-8	44
10	Newcastle United	35	-16	43
11	Leicester City	33	-6	42
12	Crystal Palace	34	3	41
13	Aston Villa	33	-2	40
14	Brentford FC	35	-11	40
15	Southampton FC	35	-17	40
16	Burnley FC	34	-15	34
17	Leeds United	34	-34	34
18	Everton FC	33	-20	32
19	Watford FC	34	-37	22
20	Norwich City	34	-49	21

Player	Team	Goals
Salah, Mohamed	Liverpool FC	22
Son, Heung Min	Tottenham Hotspur	19
Ronaldo, Cristiano	Manchester United	18
Jota, Diogo	Liverpool FC	15
Mane, Sadio	Liverpool FC	14
Kane, Harry	Tottenham Hotspur	13
Toney, Ivan	Brentford FC	12
Zaha, Wilfried	Crystal Palace	12
De Bruyne, Kevin	Manchester City	11
Saka, Bukayo	Arsenal FC	11
Mahrez, Riyad	Manchester City	11
Mount, Mason	Chelsea FC	10
Bowen, Jarrod	West Ham United	10
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United	10
Dennis, Emmanuel	Watford FC	10
Pukki, Teemu	Norwich City	10
Sterling, Raheem	Manchester City	10
Raphinha	Leeds United	10
Vardy, Jamie	Leicester City	10
Smith-Rowe, Emile	Arsenal FC	10

Player	Team	Red Cards	Yellow Cards
Bednarek, Jan	Southampton FC	0	10
Tarkowski, James	Burnley FC	0	10
Bissouma, Yves	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	10
Firpo, Junior	Leeds United	0	10
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United	0	9
Gallagher, Conor	Crystal Palace	0	9
Neves, Ruben	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0	9
Brownhill, Josh	Burnley FC	0	9
Mings, Tyrone	Aston Villa	0	9
Xhaka, Granit	Arsenal FC	1	8
Mctominay, Scott	Manchester United	0	9
Salisu, Mohammed	Southampton FC	0	8
Dennis, Emmanuel	Watford FC	0	7
Richarlison	Everton FC	0	8
Pogba, Paul	Manchester United	1	7
Alonso, Marcos	Chelsea FC	0	8
Moreno, Rodrigo	Leeds United	0	8
Cash, Matty	Aston Villa	0	8
McGinn, John	Aston Villa	0	8
Joelinton	Newcastle United	0	8

Player	Team	Assists
Salah, Mohamed	Liverpool FC	13
Alexander-Arnold, Trent	Liverpool FC	12
Robertson, Andy	Liverpool FC	10
Kane, Harry	Tottenham Hotspur	9
Mount, Mason	Chelsea FC	9
Pogba, Paul	Manchester United	9
Bowen, Jarrod	West Ham United	8
Jesus, Gabriel	Manchester City	8
Kulusevski, Dejan	Tottenham Hotspur	8
Son, Heung Min	Tottenham Hotspur	7
Lacazette, Alexandre	Arsenal FC	7
Barnes, Harvey	Leicester City	7
Mbeumo, Bryan	Brentford FC	7
Cancelo, Joao	Manchester City	7
De Bruyne, Kevin	Manchester City	6
Saka, Bukayo	Arsenal FC	6
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United	6
Dennis, Emmanuel	Watford FC	6
Antonio, Michail	West Ham United	6
Maddison, James	Leicester City	6