Milan, Nkunku at Fenerbahce? Tare thinks about it

Three balloons are still too few to organize a big party and in fact we cannot yet celebrate the confirmation of Christopher Nkunku at the center of Milan’s attack. It will be on Friday, ahead of Cagliari, because Leao’s condition could suggest further caution: Rafa will be there, but from the bench. The future, however, remains uncertain and surprises are not excluded in the January transfer window, unless in the meantime Christo convinces the club to choose him again, like when they bet on him at the end of August by paying 37 million to Chelsea. Costliest hit of the latest summer purchasing campaign. The twist was instead placed by Fenerbahce with an offer to purchase the card from Milan, an offer that would cover the Rossoneri’s spending: the club, which is very careful about budgets, will not risk a capital loss. From Turkey they are serious: Domenico Tedesco, Fener’s Italian coach, had valorized him in their shared experience at Leipzig when Nkunku was top scorer in the Bundesliga with 16 goals paired with Füllkrug, then at Werder and now the new Rossoneri. It was the 2022-23 season. From Germany and for over 65 million euros, Nkunku then moved to Chelsea and from there, four months ago to Milan.

full performance

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For the Rossoneri, the striker scored in the Italian Cup at Lecce, the first balloon he inflated in front of the San Siro crowd, and then two days ago at Verona: the penalty that Allegri and the team allowed him to kick was a way to help him get unstuck and in fact then came the robbery brace for the three-nil final. Only after the first goal did he blow the balloon, which Christo keeps ready in his socks. Not even Nkunku believed in the second goal of the day and had already exhausted his supplies of inflatables? Actually no, he explained that only the first celebration is the one now known, in case of an encore the celebrations are more classic. In total, this was his entire Rossoneri production: beyond the enthusiasm of the weekend, it was reasonable to expect more. Time is short, but it is still there: starting from Friday when Allegri will reform the duo that decided the last match against Verona. Before breaking the zero goals in the league, Max had underlined Nkunku’s contribution in generosity and participation in the game. Or he had exalted his excellent technique: all qualities that the club knew and which had led to the summer investment. French coach Deschamps must also think so, for whom Christopher, despite a modest contribution to the Rossoneri, is a key player in the squad. In fact, Milan lacked goals, the substance of a center forward. At least until Sunday afternoon: also because Christo is considered a pure striker after having played in many other areas of the department, even further from the goal. In the 3-5-2 created by the coach in the summer, there are two strikers, both mobile and fast. For variety, the club has already equipped itself with Füllkrug to replace the injured Gimenez. The question remains regarding Nkunku: he must update the goal accounts to invite the club to remain patient. Otherwise the Turkish offer, on the table, would be studied and evaluated.

between field and market

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Fener’s objective is to strengthen themselves to overcome the city competition of Galatasaray, ahead by three points in the Turkish Super Lig and to do so with Nkunku: a situation in the standings that resembles that of Serie A, with Inter and Milan top two in the class. While Nkunku would be a crucial reinforcement for the Turks, the Rossoneri are still evaluating his real potential: for this reason no solution can be ruled out at the moment. Milan would immediately receive a bank transfer from Istanbul to possibly sell the attacker and intervene again on the incoming market: without the injured Gimenez at least until February (and in any case out of the starting lineup) and with Füllkrug still to be included, they still need a player who completes the poker of offensive solutions. In January everything is possible and the beginning of 2026 could renew the Rossoneri attack even more. The pitch will also dictate the lines of the market: Nkunku will certainly have other chances to confirm himself, also given the numerous close commitments. But he has to hurry since the numbers don’t remain so encouraging: eight games as a starter out of 15, three goals in total, 793 minutes on the pitch. January will tell whether they can grow or not.