Real Madrid are interested in RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku.
Zinedine Zidane is keen to reinforce Real Madrid’s midfield with new signings, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric now well into their thirties.
Rumors of a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba has continued to persist, but United seem determined to hold on to him, and the French World Cup winner might also cost more than what Real Madrid are willing to spend.
And now according to DefensaCentral, former Paris Saint-Germain star Christopher Nkunku is one of the names on Zidane’s radar.
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Nkunku was a youth team graduate at PSG, and rose through the ranks to become a fairly regular player in the first team squad by the 2017/18 season.
He caught the eye of RB Leipzig’s extraordinary scouting system, with the Germans signing him for just €15 million. The 23-year-old has since become an indispensable member of Julien Nagelsmann’s squad.
In 60 appearances over one-and-a-half seasons for the club, Nkunku has scored 8 goals and assisted 20, an impressive return for a box-to-box midfielder.
The Frenchman is quite versatile as well, being able to play on either flank. At Real Madrid though, he would presumably be a direct replacement for 35-year-old Luka Modric.
Valued at around €30 million, Nkunku would be a much cheaper alternative to Pogba. He is a brilliant all-round attacking midfielder, offering decent pace, passing, work-rate and physicality, in addition to an eye for goal.
In fact, Zidane has reportedly been tracking his compatriot since his youth football days at PSG, and would be tempted to make a move depending on the financial situation at the club.
The Los Blancos did not sign anyone over the summer transfer window while the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Oscar Rodriguez, James Rodriguez and Sergio Reguilon left the club on permanent transfers.
There are bound to be a few incoming transfers over the next couple of windows and Nkunku could prove to be a sensible, long-term investment by Florentino Perez.