Chelsea have now reportedly reached a full agreement to sign a €70 million (R1.2 billion) star ahead of next season.
The Blues have been in the market for a forward since Romelu Lukaku rejoined Inter Milan on loan during the most recent transfer window.
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The London club was reportedly in talks to sign Gabriel Jesus before the Brazil star decided to join Arsenal, while Brentford's Ivan Toney was also said to be on their shortlist of striker options, but the Bees were unwilling to part ways with their talisman.
Chelsea would go on to make a late attempt to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Gabonese joining from FC Barcelona on deadline day for a reported fee of €7.5 million (R133 million).
However, the African forward has endured a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge with only three goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, sparking rumours that co-owner Todd Boehly is already looking for a successor ahead of next season.
According to UK-based journalist Ben Jacobs, there is now a club-to-club agreement between Chelsea and RB Leipzig for attacker Christopher Nkunku's signature, with a fee in the region of €70 million (R1.2 billion) set to be paid.
This deal would see the Frenchman make the switch at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Nkunku has scored 12 goals in 15 Bundesliga games so far in this campaign, helping RB Leipzig go into the 2022 FIFA World Cup break in third position.
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The 25-year-old was called up for France's squad for the World Cup, where he could have featured for the first time on international football's biggest stage, but an injury sustained after a lunging tackle from Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga ruled Nkunku out of the tournament.
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