Chelsea are 'likely' to have RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku at Stamford Bridge next season as 'all the pieces are in place', according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Having been appointed as the Blues' head coach last month, Graham Potter is on the cusp of completing his first signing at the helm.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Nkunku?
According to The Athletic, Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement which will see him join Chelsea next summer.
The report suggests the west Londoners have committed to paying Leipzig in excess of the eight-cap France international's release clause, which is worth just shy of £53million.
It is understood that Nkunku travelled to the German city of Frankfurt to undergo a medical ahead of a potential move to Chelsea last month.
Potter and Blues co-owner Todd Boehly reportedly wanted the attacker to go through tests as they were keen to steal a march on their rivals and he is seemingly open to a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea, Leipzig and Nkunku wanted to keep the medical a secret as discussions over the structure of the deal still need to take place.
What has Dean Jones said about Nkunku?
Jones understands that Chelsea are in pole position to land Nkunku after already getting the wheels in motion.
The journalist is expecting the 24-year-old to link up with Potter's charges ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I think the best way to look at it at the moment is that all the pieces are in place.
"It does seem a pretty safe bet, at the moment, that he is likely to be a Chelsea player next season."
Why is Nkunku on Chelsea's radar?
Nkunku beat the likes of Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski to the Bundesliga player of the season award last term, which is no mean feat and emphasises his talent.
Achim Beierlorzer, who previously worked with the Frenchman at Leipzig, has also described him as 'world-class'.
Statistics show that, along with being his current employers’ top goalscorer in the opening weeks of the Bundesliga campaign, he has been the German outfit’s second best performer.
Although journalist Simon Phillips has previously told GIVEMESPORT that a move for Nkunku was not possible during the summer transfer window because of a desire not to work with Thomas Tuchel again, it appears that Chelsea were wise to keep tabs on his progress.