France forward Nkunku leaves AC Milan to return to Leipzig where he was most prolific

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — French forward Christopher Nkunku returned to Leipzig on a loan deal on Tuesday, marking his most successful season with the club. Leipzig announced that the 28-year-old Nkunku would join on a season-long deal, with a Champions League campaign included and an option for AC Milan to buy him. During his initial four-year spell at Leipzig, Nkunku scored 70 goals in 172 games, which led to his call-up to France's national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

However, he was sidelined in training prior to the tournament and was replaced by Randal Kolo Muani. Nkunku's last 18 games for France were played in World Cup qualifiers last November. Following his stint at Chelsea, where a serious knee injury ended his career, Nkunku returned to Leipzig, where he won the 2025 Club World Cup and Conference League titles with the club.

Leipzig has financial resources to invest in new coach Martín Demichelis after selling teenage winger Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for approximately 125 million euros after his impressive performance at the World Cup with Ivory Coast.