Chelsea considers Vlahovic demand after Nkunku’s surgery
Chelsea will determine whether to pursue Dusan Vlahovic more aggressively after striker Christopher Nkunku was ruled out for “an extended period” following knee surgery, according to sources.
Nkunku, a €60 million ($65.7 million) summer transfer from RB Leipzig, was injured in Chicago last week during Chelsea’s final preseason friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
Early indications are that Nkunku will be out for at least three months, which will be a big setback for new manager Mauricio Pochettino as he attempts to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku was one of Chelsea’s better performances on their tour of the United States, scoring three times as Pochettino attempts to improve a team that scored just 38 goals in 38 Premier League games last season.
According to newsmen, the club’s desire for extra firepower may heighten their interest in Juventus attacker Vlahovic, who is currently involved in delicate negotiations concerning a move away from Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
Despite Chelsea’s interest from Saudi Arabia in Lukaku, the Belgian striker wishes to return to Italy. According to sources Juventus is eager to release Vlahovic in a swap deal, but the clubs’ values of the two players are vastly different.
Chelsea is asking roughly €46 million for Lukaku, while Juventus is asking €80 million for Vlahovic. Pochettino is reportedly interested in Vlahovic, who has 23 goals in 63 outings for Juventus since joining from Fiorentina in January 2022.
