Chelsea Slam Door on Nkunku Transfer as Star's Potential Exit Crumbles

Chelsea have rejected a loan offer from Bayern Munich for French striker Christopher Nkunku, with his departure from Stamford Bridge now appearing uncertain.

Bayern are pursuing Nkunku once again after abandoning their attempt to secure Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade, and the 27-year-old is believed to be interested in the transfer following two seasons at Chelsea that have produced only 11 Premier League starting appearances.

Nkunku has been excluded from Chelsea's previous three matchday rosters in expectation of a potential departure, and multiple sources have now confirmed a loan offer from Bayern that was decisively rejected by the Blues.

According to the Daily Mail, both Chelsea and Nkunku are advocating for a permanent transfer this summer, pressuring Bayern to increase their offer just days after the Bundesliga champions were unsuccessful with a €60 million (£51.8 million, $70.2 million) bid for Woltemade.

Whether Bayern will submit a revised proposal remains uncertain, but German media quickly altered their stance on Nkunku's prospects. BILD reports on discussions with the Frenchman's representative, Pini Zahavi, who has communicated with Chelsea and is said to have subsequently notified Bayern that the 27-year-old will probably stay at Stamford Bridge for at least one more campaign.

Nevertheless, a subsequent report from Fabrizio Romano indicated the dialogue between Chelsea and Bayern continues. It is suggested that Bayern might consider a loan arrangement with a conditional purchase clause, with talks anticipated to persist over the next few days.

Florian Plettenberg notes that Nkunku has already reached personal agreement with Bayern, leaving only a deal between the two clubs to be finalized.

Chelsea are understood to be eager to offload Nkunku for several reasons. While his departure would create space for either Xavi Simons or Alejandro Garnacho to be acquired, the Blues also must generate revenue from a particular category of player transfers to prevent additional UEFA sanctions.

Following penalties for violating financial rules regarding squad costs earlier this summer, Chelsea must profit from players who were included in last season's European roster to avoid further sanctions. Players like Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson could be sacrificed since selling returning loan players such as Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi or Carney Chukwuemeka would not satisfy the regulatory requirements.