Manchester United reportedly have “no chance” of signing Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku permanently this month as this deal hinges on a “big if”. The Red Devils are closing in on their first January signing as Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu is expected to complete his move to the Premier League giants in the coming days.

Chelsea are reportedly demanding a fee worth €70million (£58.8million) to sanction the permanent exit of Nkunku. It has been suggested that Nkunku could end up signing for United, with interest from the Blues in Alejandro Garnacho potentially enabling the deal to get over the line.

A Nkunku-Garnacho quasi-swap swap deal would, for example, generate more than enough short-term PSR leeway for United not to have to increase prices for fans mid-season. If the clubs are tapering their spending and increasing the burden on match-going fans because of cash flow, that is a separate matter. And for United, cash flow is real concern.

Christopher Nkunku is open to joining Manchester United as talks continue with Chelsea over an exchange deal involving Alejandro Garnacho. Both Chelsea and Napoli have expressed an interest in signing Garnacho before the end of the January transfer window but so far only the Serie A club have submitted an offer for the Argentina international,

The latest Chelsea transfer news as Alejandro Garnacho remains of interest whilst Christopher Nkunku is reportedly wanted by Man United