Christopher Nkunku Eyes Return to RB Leipzig

Christopher Nkunku is steering his future back toward familiar ground.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the French forward has set his sights on a return to RB Leipzig rather than a move to Newcastle United, with Milan prepared to let him go on loan with an option to buy.

Leipzig in front, Newcastle trailing

Both Leipzig and Newcastle are in talks with Milan, but the race is tilting decisively toward the Bundesliga club. Gazzetta’s Milan reporter Luca Bianchin reports that the Magpies sit “well behind” Leipzig in the battle for the former Chelsea attacker.

Nkunku, who shone in Germany between 2019 and 2023, looks ready to retrace his steps after a flat first year at San Siro. Signed from Chelsea last summer for €37m plus add-ons, he never truly became a central figure in Milan’s attack.

Eight goals in 35 competitive appearances tell the story of a season that never fully ignited.

Not in Amorim’s plans

The turning point is clear: Nkunku does not feature in Ruben Amorim’s plans for next season. That stance has opened the door for Leipzig to move quickly and decisively, with Newcastle left watching the gap widen.

Milan, for their part, are ready to sanction a loan deal that includes an option to buy. The agreement is expected to be finalised in the coming days, with Leipzig set to cover Nkunku’s €5m salary for the 2026-27 campaign.

A year after arriving in Italy with the weight of a major fee and high expectations, Nkunku looks set to head back to the club where he produced his best football. The question now is simple: can Leipzig unlock that version of him again?