Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is reportedly considering handing an ultimatum to the club's hierarchy over the coming weeks.
The France international's first season at Stamford Bridge was spoiled through knee and hamstring injuries, limiting him to 516 minutes in all competitions.
However, Nkunku has been able to keep himself fit during 2024-25 campaign, albeit helped by rarely being used in the starting lineup twice in a row.
Not since the first game of the season against Manchester City has the 27-year-old made a start in a Premier League fixture.
Instead, seven starts have been racked up in EFL Cup and Conference League encounters, the versatile attacker contributing nine goals across that period.
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Nkunku frustration growing?
There is an argument that Enzo Maresca's approach to rotating his team for cup fixtures has proven helpful to Nkunku at a time when he would have been determined to remain fit in the long term.
Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, it is the reason why Nkunku and his representatives may spearhead a bid to leave Chelsea in January.
The report suggests that Manchester United's interest in his signature has highlighted the opportunities that could materialise at other clubs.
Nkunku is said to be open to a switch to the Red Devils if a deal can be agreed with Chelsea, albeit that effort likely to be complex given that the West Londoners would demand in excess of £50m.
With six weeks remaining until the start of the January window, there is scope for Nkunku to gain more chances in the Premier League, yet that may be dependent on the form of Nicolas Jackson.
That said, Jackson failed to net in his two games before the November international break and has contributed just two strikes in his most recent six outings.
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Are Man United a better fit?
Despite expectations having risen at United with the arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach, they are heading into the unknown.
Tactically-speaking, however, it is expected the Red Devils will be switching to a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation going forward.
If Amorim deploys the former, Nkunku would be the ideal foil in one of the two creative positions behind the central striker, as he was used behind the front two for France as they defeated Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday night.
Unless Cole Palmer is unavailable for Chelsea, that will rarely be the case under Maresca. As already mentioned, though, agreeing on the finances for a transfer will be a significant stumbling block.
Darren Plant
