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Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda believes Arsenal would be an ideal destination for Christopher Nkunku as the forward struggles to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku arrived at Chelsea in 2023 for £52 million from RB Leipzig, where he had just been crowned Bundesliga Player of the Season and top scorer. However, his time in west London has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent form. The Frenchman has netted just six goals in the Premier League and continues to struggle for impact in domestic competition.
Despite those challenges, Nkunku has performed better on the European stage, scoring 11 goals in the Europa Conference League. Still, Chelsea are reportedly prepared to cut their losses and offload the 27-year-old this summer, with a £35 million asking price and plans to invest in a new striker to lead the line ahead of Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.
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Arsenal have been loosely linked with Nkunku, and Malouda believes the Emirates could offer the attacker a fresh start.
Christopher Nkunku (Image credit: Getty Images)“Arsenal or Bayern Munich would be the right kind of place for him to go, but I’m not sure he should leave Chelsea,” Malouda told Racing Tipster. “Personally, I like him as a player and as a person. I would love for him to stay, fight, and prove the quality we saw in him at the start.”
The ex-France international compared Nkunku’s situation to that of Jadon Sancho, suggesting a change in mindset rather than a move may be what’s needed.
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“It’s more a mental aspect he needs to work on,” Malouda continued. “Switching clubs can sometimes feel like running away instead of adapting. He’s used to the Bundesliga, but at Bayern there’s serious competition too.”
Malouda added that Nkunku must find the motivation to reignite his form, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
“Right now, it’s like he’s given up mentally. That’s what he needs to fix. But yes, Arsenal or Bayern could be good clubs for his progress—what matters most is that he’s ready for the World Cup next year.”
Chelsea, meanwhile, are bracing for a likely financial loss should they sell Nkunku but remain keen to reshape their attacking options in the coming months.
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