RB Leipzig have confirmed the return of Christopher Nkunku on a season-long loan from AC Milan, with an option to make the deal permanent until 30 June 2027. Nkunku did not hide his enthusiasm about the move. "When I heard of the opportunity to join RB Leipzig, I immediately wanted to say yes," he told bundesliga.com.
Leipzig's case for bringing him back
The football case is obvious. Nkunku scored 47 goals and added 43 assists in 119 appearances for Leipzig between 2019 and 2023, which is why the club are treating this as far more than a stopgap signing. Leipzig also crowned him Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021/22, when he posted 20 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances.
Marcel Schäfer said Nkunku knows the club, the city and the area, and that his versatility will give Leipzig additional options in attack. Schäfer also said Leipzig were pleased Nkunku wanted to come back despite interest from other top clubs in Europe.
Nkunku's own line matches that. "I'm very happy to be back here. I'm in excellent shape and want to help the team as soon as possible, and I also can't wait to once again play in front of our fans at the Red Bull Arena," he said. "My connection to RB Leipzig is very special."
The only wrinkle is the structure of the move. Leipzig and Milan have both confirmed the loan with an option to make it permanent, while reports in Italy have put an initial €4m loan fee, a €28m option and a possible €32m total on the deal. For Leipzig, though, the headline is the reunion with a player who was already a major part of their attack before he left for Chelsea.
Leipzig host Borussia Mönchengladbach in their Bundesliga opener this weekend, and Nkunku now goes into that matchweek back in the shirt where he made his name.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
