Christopher Nkunku could already be on his last warning at AC Milan as rumours build over a January transfer.
Christopher Nkunku To Start Super Cup Semi-Final
Milan will take on Napoli in the Italian Super Cup semi-finals on Thursday night, and Nkunku is believed to have got the nod to start.
Having scored just one goal in 13 appearances this season, time is running out for him at the San Siro.
Tuttosport have even described the occasion as his ‘final call’ at the club, suggesting the 28-year-old is standing at a crossroads just four months after leaving Chelsea in a €42million deal.
Nkunku is to partner Christian Pulisic up top for Milan in Riyadh and all eyes will certainly be on him, particularly with Niclas Fullkrug to join on loan from West Ham and Rafael Leao returning after an injury lay-off.
However, were he able to make an impact, he could well be handed a reprieve by Massimiliano Allegri. Anything less, and he is set to tumble further down the pecking order.
He has appeared ill-suited to the Serie A giants and was not a priority target for Allegri in the summer.
As a result, Milan are expected to sit down with his agent, Pini Zahavi, to discuss his future.
There could be interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf’s riches mean his potential transfer fee and salary would not be an issue.
Massimiliano Allegri ‘Surprised’ By Christopher Nkunku Signing
According to Il Giornale, CEO Giorgio Furlani pushed to recruit Nkunku because of his relationship with Chelsea.
Allegri is believed to have been caught off guard by the arrival, while sporting director Igli Tare was ‘unimpressed’.
The head coach’s bafflement was evident after Milan’s 2-0 victory against Lecce back in August, after he was questioned on how he planned to use Nkunku. His honest answer spoke volumes.
“I don’t know how I’ll be able to use him,” he replied. “He’s a very high-quality player, and I think we already have excellent players up front, and the important thing is to find the right balance with them.”
A potential swap deal involving Robert Lewandowski would offer him an escape route.
Christopher Nkunku Must ‘Wake Up’
Nkunku is undoubtedly talented, but these promising glimpses have been too few and far between in Milan.
After he delivered another underwhelming display against Torino this month, he was bluntly told to ‘wake up’.
Writing for MilanNews, journalist Antonio Vitiello said: “If this is the player, it’s pointless. The first half was horrible, practically worthless. He improved in the second half, fighting with better form, but not even a single goal.
“Yet, we’re talking about a player who cost 40 million, and it’s December 9th. He still hasn’t scored in Serie A.
“They say you need to give new players time to adapt, and that’s all true, but when you’re at Milan and you never score, it’s starting to become a serious problem.”
