RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku’s new contract has a €60m (£51.5m) release clause which can be triggered at the end of next season, according to reports.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the Frenchman previously, although both Chelsea and Manchester United were believed to have been among the player’s main suitors before the contract extension was confirmed.
Reds supporters on Twitter have been debating whether the Merseyside club will make a move for Nkunku next year. While some would back triggering the clause, others fear the competition for the forward’s signature will mean he will go elsewhere:
Have to trigger it next summer
— rod 🇺🇾 (@rodrigolyra__) June 23, 2022
Probably PSG bound unfortunately😬
— Stiruz (@Stiruzz) June 23, 2022
That’s it ?
— John McHugh (@_JohnMcHugh) June 23, 2022
Bayern signing next summer all over it
— Macauely Spence (@MacauelyS) June 23, 2022
Nkunku at cam behind nunez would be insane
— Luis Diaz SZN (@IliaxMartin) June 23, 2022
Salah’s replacement
— Yousef (@LeSamourai77) June 23, 2022
Perfect Bobby replacement next summer. Not that it will happen.. Carvalho, who is Taki AND Origis replacement this summer, will be classed as Bobby's next summer no doubt. The incredible triple man.
— The captains moustache (@Richard29990621) June 23, 2022
Trigger it
— fahad (@lfcfhd) June 23, 2022
A good replacement for salah if he doesn't renew
— SHUMBA (@MpondaEddie) June 23, 2022
With Mo Salah’s future still up in the air, sporting director Julian Ward and his team will undoubtedly be looking at contingency plans.
€60m is a pretty low figure for a player of Nkunku’s quality so Liverpool will probably be tempted to make a move. However, it will also attract plenty of other clubs, making a deal harder to complete.