Nkunku, Fenerbahce and the desire to stay at Milan: the Frenchman’s situation

Journalist

December 31, 2025 (changed at 09:18) – MILANO

Fenerbahce’s courtship is not warming Christopher Nkunku for the moment. The Turks made a telephone offer to have him and Milan, if the written proposal of a permanent purchase or in any case with an obligation to buy that would allow them not to make a capital loss compared to the 37 million plus bonuses and commissions paid last summer to Chelsea to be received, would give the green light to the operation. The unknown, however, relates to Nkunku who was not fired up at the prospect of flying to Istanbul. Waiting for him would be Tedesco, his former coach at Leipzig or the coach who allowed him to perform at the best in his career, but from a professional point of view Christopher is satisfied with having an experience in Serie A, in a glorious club like Milan. His first months in Italy were not easy thanks to a rough summer preparation (he trained on the sidelines at Chelsea because he was out of the project), a few extra kilos when he landed at Milanello, a foot injury suffered with the national team and the need to immerse himself in a league different from the German and English ones, where he had played the last few seasons. Now, thanks to the brace against Verona, he feels that the most difficult moment is behind him and he is not at all sure about starting all over again in January, a handful of months away from the World Cup, which he must win by playing and showing that he is well as he did in the last match of 2025.

TURKISH MERMAIDS

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At Fenerbahce, which has Sorloth from Atletico Madrid as an alternative target for the attack, he would be the undisputed starter, something that Milan cannot guarantee him. There is little doubt about this, but by moving to Türkiye he would no longer play in one of the five most important leagues in Europe. For him who won the last Club World Cup with Chelsea, certainly not a minor detail. Indeed, a nice leap back in his career at 28 years old. Plus the economic aspect: Milan guarantees him five million net per season and Fenerbahce couldn’t go too far. The economic aspect, which perhaps would be a factor if there was an Arab club on the other side, will not be decisive in this case. This is why Nkunku is now reflecting on the future, while keeping Friday’s trip to Cagliari as his first thought.

GROUP

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Nkunku has always felt the trust of Allegri, who praised him in front of the media, but also of his teammates, who on Sunday allowed him to beat the penalty he had earned at the start of the second half. The fact that Modric, the leader of the group, and Pulisic, the designated penalty taker in Leao’s absence, handed him the ball and invited him to go to the spot, made him understand how much his teammates care about him. They had already encouraged him in the previous days, when they had seen him a little demoralized in training, and this attitude did not go unnoticed in the eyes of the Frenchman who is very close in particular to his compatriots Maignan and Rabiot. With the latter, as well as for the national team, he also played together for PSG and the friendship is strong. And then there is the charm of Milan, a city where he is finding himself very well after his experiences in Paris and London. The balance, therefore, for Nkunku tips in favor of staying at the Rossoneri. And if in Cagliari he manages to beat the opposing goalkeeper again as he did against Verona, this belief of his will be further strengthened.

SECOND POINT

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If, however, Nkunku says yes to Fenerbahce, Milan will focus on the arrival of a second striker because with Fullkrug they have the center forward of weight and centimeters that they lack. Better if it is someone who knows Serie A. For the moment, however, the Devil is only thinking about winning in Cagliari and is counting on Nkunku also having only this thought in his head.