Official: Nkunku joins RB Leipzig on loan with option to buy
Quick summary
Christopher Nkunku has officially completed a loan move to RB Leipzig, with the German club holding an option to make the transfer permanent.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMilan have confirmed the departure of Christopher Nkunku, with the France forward joining RB Leipzig on loan until 30 June 2027 with an option to make the move permanent.
Milan’s official statement reads : “AC Milan can confirm that Christopher Nkunku has joined RB Leipzig on loan, with an option to make the deal permanent, until 30 June 2027.
“The Club would like to thank Christopher for the professionalism and dedication that he has shown and wish him all the best for the upcoming season.”
Nkunku returns to Leipzig after struggles at Milan The move takes the forward back to the club where he built his reputation before joining Chelsea. He completed the second part of his medical, having flown to Germany the previous evening.
Reports in Italy place the deal at an initial €4m for the loan , with the option set at €28m, taking the total to €32m should Leipzig exercise it at the end of the campaign.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) Nkunku’s single season in Milan brought 35 appearances, eight goals and three assists. He was among the players moved outside Ruben Amorim’s plans this summer, alongside Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori.
His exit eases the squad situation for a Milan hierarchy still working to move Santiago Gimenez on, with the Mexican training away from the group while the club press Porto to convert their proposed option into an obligation at €20m.
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What happened
Christopher Nkunku has left to join RB Leipzig on a season-long loan, with Leipzig retaining an option to sign the French forward permanently. The move reunites Nkunku with the club where he previously enjoyed his most prolific spell in European football. After a difficult period at Chelsea and a loan at AC Milan, the 27-year-old will look to revive his career in the Bundesliga.
Chance analysis
Nkunku's return to Leipzig is a significant career reset for a player who once looked destined for elite status after his stellar spell at the Red Bull Arena. For Leipzig, this is a smart market move — they get a forward who knows the system and the club, albeit one whose recent form has been inconsistent. The deal's structure, with an option rather than obligation to buy, reflects the risk attached to a player whose stock has fallen sharply since his Chelsea move.
Leipzig add a familiar forward option, though the obligation-to-buy structure signals caution; the selling/loaning club loses squad depth in attack.