“He has shown me that he can still be vital to the team. He’s going to perfectly fit into my new plans for the team” – This is according to Enzo Maresca as Christopher Nkunku has compelled him to rethink Chelsea’s transfer plans, as his newly defined role within the team becomes evident.

Chelsea have reportedly placed a valuation exceeding £60 million on Christopher Nkunku as Bayern Munich shows serious interest in the forward, according to football.london.

Nkunku, 27, has started only three Premier League games for Chelsea this season and is said to be frustrated by his limited opportunities. Despite his reduced role, Nkunku remains the club’s joint-top scorer alongside Cole Palmer, with both netting 13 goals across all competitions. However, while all of Palmer’s goals have come in the Premier League, Nkunku has scored just twice in the league, accumulating only 390 minutes of play. This uncertainty around his future has caught Bayern Munich’s attention.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Bayern are already underway, with Chelsea expressing interest in Bayern’s young forward Mathys Tel. The 19-year-old recently signed a contract extension with the German club, but if Bayern indicates any willingness to part with him, Chelsea would not hesitate to make an offer.

As Bayern pursues Nkunku, Chelsea remains in a strong negotiating position due to the French international’s four-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge. This contractual security has allowed the Blues to set a firm price of over £60 million for the forward.

Interestingly, Chelsea’s stance on Nkunku has evolved in recent months. In November, head coach Enzo Maresca firmly stated that the forward would not be leaving during the January transfer window. When asked if he could rule out a sale, Maresca said, “Absolutely, yes. We have so many games. I completely want Christo to stay with us; I don’t have any idea to let him leave in January.”

Maresca also addressed speculation about Nkunku’s unhappiness, stating, “I spoke to Christo days ago, and he did not say he was unhappy. For sure, he would like to play more minutes, but that’s like many players.”

However, Chelsea’s transfer decisions are ultimately overseen by co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, whose focus is on the club’s recruitment strategy and securing the best deals. While Maresca may influence decisions, the final say rests with the sporting directors and the club’s ownership.

Stewart and Winstanley lead Chelsea’s football operations, including transfers and talent recruitment, with a team of specialists like Joe Shields, co-director of recruitment and talent, assisting them. This operational structure ensures that decisions prioritize the club’s long-term goals, even if they contradict a manager’s public stance.

Given football’s ever-changing landscape, Maresca’s earlier comments on Nkunku’s future may now appear outdated, reflecting the fluid nature of transfer negotiations.