French forward Christopher Nkunku has completed a permanent move from Chelsea to AC Milan, the Italian club confirmed on Saturday.
The 27-year-old attacker, who struggled to make a lasting impact in the Premier League, is aiming to reignite his career with the World Cup on the horizon.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea FC. The French forward has signed a contract with the Club until 30 June 2030,” Milan said in an official statement.
Reports from Italian outlets indicate that Milan secured the deal for €37 million ($43.3 million), with performance-related bonuses potentially raising the figure to €42 million. The transfer ends Nkunku’s underwhelming spell at Chelsea, where he joined in 2023 after excelling at RB Leipzig.
During his time with the London side, Nkunku registered 18 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions. However, persistent injuries during his first season limited his opportunities. He was often overlooked by coach Enzo Maresca, who preferred Nicolas Jackson for league fixtures, leaving Nkunku to feature mainly in domestic cup ties.
Now at Milan, Nkunku is focused on returning to form and securing a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His international record currently stands at one goal from 14 appearances, scored against Israel in the Nations League last October.
Despite his potential, Deschamps left Nkunku out of France’s Nations League quarter-final clash with Croatia and the final four of the tournament, highlighting the uphill battle he faces to earn a recall.
Milan, under the leadership of coach Massimiliano Allegri, are also undergoing a rebuilding phase. After a disappointing eighth-place finish last season that cost them European competition, the Rossoneri began the new Serie A campaign with three points from their first two games, including a 2-0 win over Lecce on Friday.
What you should know
Christopher Nkunku, once a rising star at RB Leipzig, endured an injury-plagued spell at Chelsea that hampered his progress.
His move to AC Milan offers a fresh chance to prove himself at club level and fight for a spot in France’s World Cup squad.
