Chelsea have stolen a march on their rivals in the race to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues conducted a secret medical with the 24-year-old in the summer.

Nkunku has a £52.5million release clause in his contract and plenty of interest is expected come next summer.

After a stunning 2021-22 campaign saw him score 35 times for Leipzig, he has begun this term in fine fashion with six in 11 games.

And Chelsea are clearly keen on the Frenchman, with a member of their staff present at the tests in the summer.

Nkunku would still need to pass a full medical in 2023, though personal terms have reportedly been agreed.

That will not stop other clubs trying to tempt the forward, who can also play in a deeper attacking role, elsewhere if he carries on his upward trajectory.

The report adds that Chelsea have spoken to new boss Graham Potter about the move, not that he was interested in discussing it ahead of his first Premier League game in charge against Crystal Palace.

Potter said: "My answer to that type of stuff is unless it's a player for us, I don’t really speak about other players. So, no comment."

But he may well be another piece in the Blues' attacking armoury once the 2023-24 season kicks off.

In other news

Reports in France say Marcus Rashford was on the four-man wishlist Kylian Mbappe handed to Paris Saint-Germain chiefs in the summer.

Football Insider report that Tottenham are monitoring Leicester star James Maddison’s future as his impressive form continues.

Italian media believe Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli could leave in January with Arsenal one of the mentioned destinations.