Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has turned down a potential loan move to Manchester United as the January transfer window closed.
The Frenchman, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for £52 million, has struggled with injuries and has made just three Premier League starts this season under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea had signaled their willingness to offload the 27-year-old permanently, but suitors like Bayern Munich and Manchester United valued him at just £40 million—far below Chelsea’s asking price.
United proposed a loan deal late in the window, but both Chelsea and Nkunku rejected the move, keeping him at Stamford Bridge for now.
Meanwhile, Chelsea appears more open to loaning out Joao Felix, with AC Milan pushing for a six-month deal. Super-agent Jorge Mendes flew to London to finalize negotiations, with Felix eager to join the Serie A giants.
Aston Villa also considered signing Felix but opted against it after securing loan moves for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
Maresca explained that Nkunku and Felix have struggled for minutes due to the prominence of Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s system.
Despite being ‘fantastic players,’ the Chelsea boss emphasized that his tactical approach relies on just one attacking midfielder, limiting their opportunities.