Christopher Nkunku returns to RB Leipzig at his own request, according to the club

Nkunku moved from RB Leipzig to FC Chelsea in 2022 and initially struggled there before returning to regular playing time last season. He still has a long-term contract with the London club, which is why Leipzig is working toward a loan deal with an option to buy, according to sources close to the club. Silence was agreed upon regarding the exact terms.

Filling the gap after Diomande's departure

In Leipzig, Nkunku is primarily intended to fill the void left by the departure of Yan Diomande. Diomande had recently left Saxony as a record transfer, moving for a high fee to a top European club. With the signing of the 28-year-old, who is regarded as one of the iconic figures of Leipzig's more recent history, the club is responding to the loss of personnel in attack.

Schäfer also pointed to the player's emotional bond with the club. During his first spell in Leipzig between 2019 and 2022, Nkunku scored 47 goals in 99 competitive matches, establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga's top scorers. At club level, the attacking player won the DFB-Pokal in Leipzig and celebrated reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2019/20 with the team. These achievements shaped his connection to the city and the club.

Emotional bond with the club

Nkunku had already shared a special gesture with the fans years ago. After scoring a goal, he had blown up a red balloon and said: „Das war für meinen Sohn. Er mag Ballons". At the time, his son was three years old. The personal touch makes clear that the player's decision is motivated not only by sporting considerations but also by family ones.

Nkunku's return brings back a player who stands not only athletically but also symbolically for the club's rise. During his first spell, he was the first Leipzig player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or. For the coming season, those in charge hope he can compete for titles together with the team's remaining pillars.

The official confirmation of the transfer is expected in the coming days, according to information from the club. Schäfer had already announced that the club wanted to "zeitnah finalisieren" the signing. The medical examination is also reportedly imminent, according to reports from Leipzig circles.

Official confirmation in the coming days

For RB Leipzig, this is a transfer with symbolic impact. Following the departure of Diomande and other attacking players in the past, the Saxons are deliberately turning to a familiar face from their own history. Nkunku knows the coach, the team, and the processes from his first spell and is expected to be ready to integrate immediately.

In the Bundesliga, the Frenchman could already feature in a Leipzig shirt on the second matchday, provided the formalities are completed by then. Leipzig fans, who had already given Nkunku the nickname "Christo" years ago, are meanwhile preparing for an emotional homecoming. Other European clubs, such as Real Madrid, are also reported to have shown recent interest in the Frenchman.

The transfer is part of a series of prominent loan deals and returning players that have caused a stir in the Bundesliga in recent transfer windows. Leipzig is counting on the argument of familiarity, which repeatedly tips the balance in negotiations.