Christopher Nkunku close to Leipzig loan from AC Milan - sources

France forward Christopher Nkunku is on the verge of a return to RB Leipzig on loan from AC Milan, sources have told ESPN.

Nkunku, 28, joined AC Milan in 2025 from Chelsea on a deal in the region of €40 million (£34m / $47m), but he is one of several players deemed surplus to requirements under new manager Ruben Amorim.

He is set to sign for Leipzig on a loan deal through to the end of the season, with Leipzig retaining an option to make the transfer permanent.

This will be Nkunku's second spell at Leipzig having joined the German team back in 2019 from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee around €12m.

He excelled at Leipzig the first time around, scoring 70 goals in 172 appearances. That form saw him attract attention from various sides throughout Europe and in 2023 Chelsea signed Nkunku on a six-year contract for €60m.

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But Nkunku struggled to adapt to life in England. After 18 goals in 62 appearances for Chelsea, AC Milan made the move for Nkunku in August 2025. The versatile forward, who can play through the middle and off the left wing, scored 8 goals in 35 games for AC Milan.

Nkunku, who has 18 France caps, is set to become Leipzig's fifth transfer of the summer window under new manager Martin Demichelis. He will follow the arrivals of Maxime Estève, Rocco Reitz, Ota Yamamoto and Ørjan Nyland.