RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has appeared to confirm that Christopher Nkunku will be signing for Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
The France international was on the radar of several leading European teams last summer after registering a staggering 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 games last season.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United were believed to be admirers of Nkunku, but Leipzig tied the former Paris Saint-Germain product down to a new deal until 2026.
Nkunku has endured an injury-disrupted 2022-23 season, having missed the World Cup with a serious knee injury before spending a few weeks out with a torn muscle between March and April.
However, the 25-year-old has still amassed an eye-catching 18 goals and five assists from 30 games and is regarded as one of the Bundesliga's top attackers when fully fit.
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Back in October, it was reported that Chelsea had reached an agreement to sign Nkunku for the 2023-24 season, and the attacker had given the green light to a deal until 2028 after passing a medical.
Neither Chelsea nor Leipzig have officially confirmed the move yet, but Roten Bullen chief Max Eberl admitted in January that Nkunku was bound for West London.
Now, Leipzig head coach Rose has hinted that the French forward will make the switch to the English capital as his side make the most of their final "few weeks" with Nkunku leading the line.
Speaking to reporters after Nkunku scored the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim - his first Bundesliga goal since November - Rose said: "That [winning goal] should give him a boost for the next few weeks - for his last few weeks with us."
Chelsea are believed to have committed €60m (£52.7m) to sign Nkunku this summer, as the 25-year-old prepares to depart Leipzig four years after departing boyhood club PSG.
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The France international has recorded 65 goals and 52 assists in 166 matches for Leipzig since touching down in Germany, demonstrating his versatility by playing as a number 10, striker and winger during his time at the Red Bull Arena.
Nkunku's imminent arrival at Stamford Bridge could open the door for out-of-favour striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave as the Gabon international's nightmare homecoming continues.
The former Arsenal man has scored just three goals in all competitions this term, and Chelsea are apparently willing to let Aubameyang depart for free as he pines for a return to Barcelona.
Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic could also be on the way out this summer, having been bumped down the pecking order by the January arrivals of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke.
Chelsea lie 12th in the Premier League table ahead of Tuesday's London derby with title-chasing Arsenal at the Emirates, having suffered five successive defeats since Frank Lampard returned to the dugout.
Ben Knapton
