Arsenal will face competition from Manchester United and Tottenham for the signing of Christopher Nkunku this summer.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 04, 2020. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 04, 2020. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Christopher Nkunku this summer as they look to strengthen their midfield but while the player is said to be unsettled at RB Leipzig, Arsenal will not get a clear run at the 23-year-old.

According to Fussball Transfers, via Sport Witness, Manchester United and Tottenham have added the player to their ‘list’.

Sport BILD recently reported that Arsenal have been looking into a move for Christopher Nkunku, who is seemingly unhappy with his playing time at RB Leipzig.

Christian Falk followed up that report by claiming Nkunku is on Leipzig’s transfer list, though he would be a fairly pricey option.

“Leipzig is a bit shaken at the moment, and so Nkunku is also on the out list,” he told BILD (via Sport Witness) when asked about Arsenal’s interest.

“I would say it will be difficult because he is tied down (his contract runs until 2024) and has a €40 million market value.

“[Alternatives like Julian Draxler or Julian Brandt] are a bit easier to achieve, but from a quality point, they would, of course, be a club that would definitely be an upgrade for him.”

Despite making 33 appearances – in which he’s scored seven goals and assisted a further nine, it’s true that Nkunku’s game-time hasn’t always been particularly consistent.

Since returning from his ankle problems in January, he hasn’t had more than three league starts in a row before dropping back to the bench.

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in the midfielder, having pursued him throughout 2019. They could be even more interested now, given the lack of goal contributions from central midfield in Mikel Arteta’s side.

But as Falk points out, Nkunku isn’t going to come cheap. Any potential move will come down to whether Arsenal feel they can afford to sign the 23-year-old alongside their other summer targets and how much money clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham throw at the player and his club.