AC Milan has agreed to a £36m deal with Chelsea for French forward Christopher Nkunku, who will join the Italian club on a five-year contract after accepting a pay cut.

AC Milan have agreed a £36m deal with Chelsea for Christopher Nkunku, a 27-year-old French forward who will join the Italian club on a five-year contract.

Nkunku has agreed to take a pay cut to make the move happen and has been given permission to undergo a medical. The deal also includes a sell-on clause for Chelsea, marking the end of Nkunku’s two-year stay at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku’s departure from Chelsea is part of the club’s efforts to balance their books and comply with UEFA sanctions.

Chelsea faces a requirement to maintain a “positive transfer balance” this summer to register new signings for the Champions League. With Nkunku’s sale, Chelsea’s estimated profit from player sales reaches £309m, exceeding their £277m in player purchases.

The French international had a significant role in Chelsea’s successes, including winning the Club World Cup and Conference League this year. Despite his contributions, Nkunku struggled to find consistency under Enzo Maresca, starting just nine Premier League matches and making 18 appearances from the bench.

Nkunku’s move to Milan is seen as a fresh start for the talented forward, who will look to revive his career in Italy. Milan’s pursuit of Nkunku comes after failed attempts to sign other targets, including Victor Boniface and Konrad Harder. 

The sale of Nkunku also paves the way for Chelsea to sign new players, with negotiations advancing for Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and a potential loan deal for Bayern Munich involving Nicolas Jackson.