Newcastle United have discussed Christopher Nkunku internally as a potential attacking addition, with Milan reportedly open to selling the 28-year-old for a fee that has been put at anywhere between €30million and €35million depending on the source. That gap between figures shows this is still a live conversation rather than an agreed transfer.
According to Chris Waugh of The Athletic, Nkunku has been mentioned as Newcastle assess whether to add a forward who can play across the front line, now that head coach Matthias Jaissle has had time to review his squad. Waugh’s reporting is careful to note this sits alongside, not above, Newcastle’s more pressing hunt for an experienced midfielder. Nkunku is a name in the conversation, not a confirmed target with a bid attached.
AC Milan’s Asking Price For Christopher Nkunku
Reports citing Italian sources state that Milan are looking for a minimum of £30million (€35million) for Nkunku, though they would ideally prefer more. That figure would represent a significant loss on the £52million Chelsea paid RB Leipzig for him back in 2023, and it underlines how sharply his market value has fallen after a single unconvincing season in Serie A.
Whichever number ends up being accurate, either fee sits well within what Newcastle can afford after their summer business, including the recent £30million deal for Benfica right-back Amar Dedic. But it would be a notable outlay for a player whose recent output, seven Serie A goals in around 1,300 minutes last season, has not matched his ceiling.
Why AC Milan Are Ready To Sell Nkunku
Nkunku joined Milan from Chelsea last summer looking for a reset, and by most accounts he has failed to establish himself for a second club running. With RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Roma also reportedly circling, Milan appear willing to cut their losses on a player who has not repaid their investment, provided a buyer meets their asking price.
Newcastle’s Priority Remains A Midfielder, Not Nkunku
It is worth stressing what The Athletic’s reporting makes clear: Newcastle’s most urgent need is a midfielder, not a forward. Their pursuit of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has already stalled after the Marseille midfielder turned them down, and their fallback option Joao Palhinha now looks set to join Aston Villa instead, who are further along in talks for the Bayern Munich man. Jaissle was blunt about the scale of the task after Saturday’s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, telling reporters that everyone at the club is aligned on transfers and that the club knows exactly what it needs.
An attacker is a secondary consideration that has only entered the picture now that Jaissle has had time to properly assess the squad he inherited. Eddie Howe rarely played with a genuine No 10, leaving Newcastle short of natural second-striker options, which is presumably why Nkunku’s versatility across the front line has caught attention.
Aston Villa Also Chasing A Nkunku Move
Newcastle are not alone in this. Aston Villa have also made enquiries about Nkunku and held initial discussions with Milan, setting up a genuine tussle if either club decides to push forward. Villa’s route to regular starts looks harder with Ollie Watkins established up front, which could work in Newcastle’s favour if Nkunku prioritises game time over joining a direct rival for a similar reason he’s already leaving Milan.
None of this amounts to an imminent transfer. Newcastle have a fortnight before the window shuts and a midfielder to sort first, and until there is a formal bid on the table, Nkunku remains one name among several being discussed rather than a deal closing in on completion.
