Red Bull counterattacks the old player: Leipzig wants to "change" Simmons back to Nkunku, Chelsea s last move in the summer window?

Leipzig, August 20th - The transfer window countdown was 10 days, and RB Leipzig suddenly pressed the "buyback button" and made a shocking sound. According to continuous revelations between The Athletic and German Sky Sports, the Red Bulls never closed the door to swap deals with Chelsea on Christopher Nkunku and Xavi Simmons. Instead, they restarted negotiations recently, trying to use a "curve-save the country" operation to welcome the former forward ace.

Nkunku has not been able to fully realize his "Bundesliga MVP" value since he switched to Stamford Bridge for 60 million euros in the summer of 2023. The new Blues coach Maresca tends to be in frontless, which makes the French international more time to sit on the bench and "wave the towel". At this time, Leipzig smelled the opportunity to "buy at the bottom" - they are not only willing to let Simmons move westward as a trading chip, but also are preparing to ask Chelsea for another 35 million euros in cash to make up for the transfer deficit of about 25 million euros so far in the summer window.

Bayern and Dortmund tried to intervene respectively: the Bundesliga overlord proposed a pure loan plan and was rejected by Chelsea; the Yellow and Black Legion was discouraged by the price of 50 million euros. In contrast, Leipzig has a "emotional card" - Nkunku played 172 games for Red Bull in 2020-23, scoring 92 goals, making him the team's efficiency king in history. Coach Roze has regarded the French as the "last puzzle" and hopes to use its multi-faceted nature to solve the team's problem of ending weakness.

The current negotiations are stuck at two points: First, Simmons himself is open to the prospects of the Premier League, but requires the main position to be ensured; second, Leipzig adheres to the "cash + swap" model, while Chelsea prefers to reduce book losses through player swaps. As the window closes, representatives of both sides have restarted emergency consultations in London today. Red Bull senior Mincslav even said, "Either now or miss it forever."

Chelsea, Burleigh is weighing the FFP red line and lineup thickness. If Nkunku is let go, Sterling will be pushed to the center, and Muderick and Maduaike compete for the left wing. If Leipzig trades, the forward line will be upgraded instantly - the trident of Nkunku + Oponda + Werner is enough to make the Bundesliga strongmen feel cold.

In the countdown stage of the transfer window, a game about old love and new love is about to be revealed: Nkunku, should we wear Red Bull or blue clothes to welcome the new season?