RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku is one of the best players of the current Bundesliga season. Within a year, the Frenchman has almost doubled his market value and has become one of the most sought-after professionals in the German elite class. What makes him so interesting for FC Bayern and Co.?
Christopher Nkunku made his debut for France in a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on 25 March. The Leipzig offensive all-rounder stormed alongside Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappé was only on the bench.
The fact that a player who shone with seven goals in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage has only just made his international debut is astounding enough and speaks to the French’s seemingly endless attacking quality.
Nkunku with 41 goal contributions in 39 games
This is not quite so infinite in the RB Leipzig squad. Should the next key player leave Saxony after Timo Werner, Patrik Schick, Dayot Upamecano or Marcel Sabitzer, it would be a bitter loss for the reigning runners-up.
The performance explosion of the 24-year-old – especially in scoring – speaks against staying in Leipzig: Nkunku has had 41 goals in 39 competitive games this season, spread over 26 goals and 15 assists. An outstanding value that only Robert Lewandowski can surpass in the Bundesliga (45 goals and five assists).
According to the “transfermarkt.de” portal, his market value has increased from 35 million to currently 65 million euros within a year. Since Leipzig signed the Frenchman from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2019 for 13 million euros, his values have improved almost steadily. If Nkunku scored only twelve goals in 84 competitive games for RB by summer 2021, it is 26 goals in 39 appearances this season! In addition, there are those 15 assists that make him one of the best scorers in Europe.
“Much more” than goals and assists
The fact that in the Bundesliga only Lewandowski has more ball contacts in the opponent’s sixteen (216) than Nkunku (178) shows how offensive Nkunku is now interpreting his role. The 24-year-old is probably one of the biggest beneficiaries of the system change after Julian Nagelsmann’s departure.
Previously he was mostly stuck on the left or right wing, but now he can shift and rule as he pleases. Nkunku already did this impressively under Jesse Marsch. His current coach Domenico Tedesco summed up the qualities of his exceptional talent. And emphasized that it’s not just the goals that set him apart: “He’s a lot more. He works, he sprints and is very, very good at counter-pressing. And then he still has certain qualities in the offensive area: he’s good Finished with left and right and made a great first contact.”
Coupled with his speed – according to “bundesliga.de” he reached a top speed of 35.5 km/h this season – Nkunku is currently one of the hottest players in the league.
Is Bayern chasing the next RB top performer?
And logically also a man who plays a role in FC Bayern’s transfer plans. Not just because Nkunku has the same advisor, Pini Zahavi, as Robert Lewandowski. Serge Gnabry’s contract is still in the drawer and the German international is said to have expressed little satisfaction about it.
In terms of position, Nkunku would be the ideal Gnabry replacement – and if Gnabry left FC Bayern at the same time, it would probably be possible. The Frenchman’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain, is also mentioned as interested party.
However, RB Leipzig is currently not willing to let another superstar go. Especially not to Munich. The “Bild” recently reported that Nkunku could double his salary if he stayed.
First of all, Nkunku and RB Leipzig have another opportunity to show themselves on the big stage in the top game at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Lars Wiedemann