CHELSEA were hoping to keep Christoper Nkunku’s medical at the club secret, according to reports.
The RB Leipzig star underwent a preliminary examination and the Blues were keen that nobody found out about their early transfer moves.
But the news was leaked that the medical happened a few weeks ago.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that all parties involved wanted to keep the discussions with Chelsea secret and the deal remains a long way from done.
Graham Potter’s side and the Bundesliga club are yet to agree a fee.
Nkunku, 24, apparently has a £53million release clause in his contract that Chelsea may have to trigger.
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The Frenchman has eight caps for the national team and can play as a striker and an attacking midfielder with his versatility appealing to Potter.
Nkunku has netted eight goals in 12 games this season continuing his exceptional form from the previous year.
Last campaign he scored an incredible 35 goals and registered 20 assists in 52 matches as RB Leipzig qualified for the Champions League and won the German domestic cup.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly supposedly wanted to show Nkunku that he is desperate to sign him with the weirdly timed medical and the American wants to build a relationship with RB Leipzig.
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The West Londoners have already been strongly linked with their centre-back Josko Gvardiol with Chelsea reportedly bidding £80million for him in the summer but a deal couldn’t be agreed.
Additionally, Timo Werner was sold back to the club from Chelsea in the last window.
Boehly is expected to continue pumping money into the club just as he did for Thomas Tuchel prior to his sacking.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk