Chelsea are set to complete the signing of RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku this summer after the Frenchman signed a pre-contract agreement last year
The France international has operated in a No.9 role for Leipzig at times this season - scoring a total of 23 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions. Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz were Chelsea's joint-top goal scorers last season - netting just nine times each - highlighting the need for a clinical forward at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku picked up the Bundesliga Golden Boot award for his 16 goals in the German top-flight despite missing a significant amount of the season through injury. The Frenchman has proved he can consistently score goals and his arrival in west London will come as a huge boost for Pochettino and the team.
The Argentine will be excited by the prospect of working with Nkunku, especially considering the way the 25-year-old has ended the season after recovering from injury. Nkunku has registered 10 goal contributions in his final seven games across all competitions for Leipzig - only failing to score or assist in one of those fixtures.
The France international is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in brilliant form and Pochettino will hope that he can quickly adapt to his play style and ideas to continue his goal scoring success. As the Argentine continues to search for a new No.9, it could spell the end for Kai Havertz who has been linked with a surprise move to Real Madrid this summer.
The Blues are set to trigger Nkunku's £52million release clause with an announcement from the club expected this month with the summer transfer window officially opening on June 14.
Arsenal hold clear advantage in summer race to sign Joao Cancelo after transfer 'contact' made
Arsenal transfer news: Joao Cancelo is expected to leave Manchester City this summer with the Gunners very interested in acquiring his services
Arsenal's summer transfer pursuit of Joao Cancelo is certainly still alive despite claims the Portugal international does not want to continue playing in the Premier League. The Manchester City man seems to have no future at Etihad Stadium with a six-month loan spell to Bayern Munich being sanctioned in the midst of a title charge despite him having played 17 league games already in that season.
Further proof that Pep Guardiola no longer wants him at City came when it was revealed by Spanish outlet Sport, the club would sanction an exit if an interested club pays €40million (£34.6m). In comparison, Cancelo's buy option to sign for Bayern at the end of his loan spell stood at €70million (£60.3m).
On Friday, it was reported by German newspaper Abendzeitung that Cancelo is not interested in joining Arsenal and would prefer a move to a different league. Having spent half a year in Germany, the only top five league Cancelo is yet to play in is Ligue 1 and with Paris Saint-Germain looking for new defenders, he could have his sights set on the French champions.
Nonetheless, Arsenal are still making attempts to sign Cancelo and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, could potentially have a clear advantage over any other suitors after making contact ahead of the summer window.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano revealed: "For Cancelo, yes, they are interested. They had some contact, and they have very good relationship with these agents. So there was a conversation over the possibility to sign Cancelo."
After selling Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to the Gunners last summer, which nearly cost Man City a third consecutive title, some concern over letting another player join a close rival would be understandable. However, on the side of City, there seems to be no issues in sanctioning's Cancelo move to Arsenal if a suitable bid arrived, as per journalist Dean Jones.
“Obviously Cancelo is one of those and there is already understanding at Arsenal of what it would take to sign him from City," Jones said told Give Me Sport.
“If Arsenal are willing to pay up then City would not block the move, that’s the current feeling. It’s a stance they have held in the past and does not seem to be swayed by the fact Arsenal ran them closest in the title race this season.”
Arsenal handed dream £68m Kieran Tierney replacement transfer chance after key Bayern decision