Interest from Turkey is real, but Milan’s valuation and Nkunku’s own intentions make a January move far from straightforward
Christopher Nkunku was not expected to become a January transfer storyline, yet half of Istanbul is suddenly talking about him. The Fenerbahçe have identified the French attacker as a possible target, encouraged by their coach Domenico Tedesco, who previously worked with Nkunku at RB Leipzig and oversaw his breakout 2021–22 season.
But can AC Milan really consider selling a player they signed less than five months ago for €37 million plus bonuses? As of now, the answer is far from clear.
Fenerbahçe’s position: interest, but no bid
One thing is certain: Fenerbahçe have not submitted any official offer to Milan. There has been contact, inquiries, and internal discussion, and a proposal could arrive in the coming days—but at the moment, there is no negotiation underway.
The key issue is the price. The Turkish club is not willing to invest €35 million for Nkunku and is likely to explore a more favorable deal, potentially leveraging his adaptation struggles in Serie A. From Milan’s perspective, that approach changes very little.
Milan’s stance: no rush, no discount
Milan are open to dialogue, but selling Nkunku at €20–25 million would mean a clear capital loss—something the club is unwilling to accept, especially after the player’s recent goals against Verona.
There is also a tactical and numerical problem. Milan’s attack is already walking a fine line. Rafael Leão played recently despite quadriceps inflammation, Christian Pulisic has been managing limited minutes, and Giménez remains sidelined. While Füllkrug has arrived and made a positive early impression, Massimiliano Allegri has very few attacking options to rotate.
For this reason, Milan are in wait-and-see mode. There is no urgency to sell, and any decision would require serious guarantees.
Nkunku’s view: no push to leave
Nkunku himself represents the second major obstacle. The French forward is not forcing a move away from Milan—quite the opposite. He would be happy to stay in Italy and prove his worth after an understandable adaptation period.
Allegri’s decision to let him take a penalty against Verona was seen internally as a sign of trust and support. Nkunku believes he can still carve out a central role at Milan, rather than reset his journey elsewhere after just a few months.
What happens next?
Should Fenerbahçe be monitored in the coming week? Absolutely. Is everything in place for a deal to happen quickly? Not at all.
Between Milan’s valuation and squad needs, and Nkunku’s own desire to stay and fight for his place, the road to Istanbul looks complicated. For now, this remains a story worth watching—but far from a transfer on the verge of completion.
