Barcelona ‘interested in signing Chelsea outcast with star unhappy with lack of minutes under Enzo Maresca’

Barcelona are interested in signing out of favour Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, according to reports. 

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge due to his lack of minutes under Enzo Maresca this season.

Nkunku has only started twice in the Premier League for the Blues – who sit four points behind leaders Liverpool – with the forward only finding the back of the net on two occasions.

Instead, Maresca has reserved Nkunku for the cup competitions, the Carabao Cup and UEFA Conference League, in which he has netted 10 goals.

The Frenchman has begun to grow tired of his lack of minutes in the top flight and is seeking a move away from west London as soon as possible, according to Sport 45.

Nkunku’s agent Pini Zahavi has seemingly offered the attacker to LaLiga leaders Barcelona, however, the Catalan side would only seek a deal at the end of the season and not in the January transfer window.

Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign the Frenchman by his agent Pini Zahavi

Enzo Maresca wants to keep Nkunku despite handing him just two Premier League starts

The France international agreed to join Chelsea in December 2022 before completing a £53million move the next summer.

He enjoyed a tough start to life in the capital with injuries hampering his first season at the club under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Nkunku only managed 14 appearances across all competitions last term, scoring just three times.

However, under the stewardship of Maresca, Nkunku has avoided injury and been readily available for every fixture in teh calendar.

The Italian boss, who replaced Pochettino in June, has preferred using Nicolas Jackson in the striker position instead of Nkunku.

The Frenchman can also play as an attacking midfielder, but Chelsea’s star man Cole Palmer is deployed in that role.

But despite opting to use other players, back in November Maresca insisted that Nkunku is not for sale.  

‘I spoke to Christo days ago and he did not say he was unhappy,’ said Maresca. ‘For sure, he would like to play minutes, but like many players. 

10 of Nkunku’s 12 goals for the Blues during this season have come in cup competitions

Cole Palmer (left) and Nicolas Jackson (right) are both preferred by Maresca over Nkunku

‘Since we started, for me, there are not two squads – the squad is only one. They can play Conference League or the Premier League.

‘[I] completely want Christo to stay with us. I don’t have any idea to let him leave in January.

‘Christo’s best position is between the lines as a No 10 but Cole is playing there. They are all fantastic players and are all going to play games, no doubt, but not every game.’