Player transfer exit reports have engulfed RB Leipzig just days before the Celtic trip to Germany, with duo Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol both heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea.
The Telegraph reports that Nkunku has already signed a pre-contract with the Stamford Bridge club and will move to London next summer after Chelsea activated his £52.6m release clause. He’s even said to have undergone a medical.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph also say that Chelsea are set to activate Gvardiol’s £43.6m clause and are in advanced talks with the Germans about a deal for the 20-year-old.
It’s an interesting backdrop to the upcoming trip for Ange Postecoglou and Celtic, who are due to fly out to Germany tomorrow and make final preparations for a massive UEFA Champions League tie on Wednesday evening.
Leipzig have suffered from a mixed bag of form so far this season, even after the appointment of Marco Rose in place of Domenico Tedesco. Heavy defeats have been blended together with big victories, no better demonstrated than their last two fixtures – a 3-0 loss away to Gladbach and a 4-0 home win against Bochum.
Nkunku finally found his shooting boots in that result against Bochum over the weekend, scoring twice alongside Timo Werner’s double.
They were the forward’s first goals for the club since August – so perhaps all this transfer speculation has been a motivating factor for him, not a distraction.
Regardless, Celtic will be looking to burst the hype bubble and pick up another positive result in Group F. A draw, or a win, will set the Bhoys up very nicely for the final three group stage matches, two of which come at home.
Leipzig have zero points from their first two fixtures, so there incredibly rich assets haven’t quite paid off yet in the premier club competition yet. It’s up to the Bhoys to make sure that continues.
In other news, Tough times continue for Celtic away support.
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