Christopher Nkunku has been sent a clear transfer warning amid rumours that he could leave Chelsea.

Reports have been emerging claiming Nkunku could depart Stamford Bridge before the January transfer window closes. There have even been suggestions that Bayern Munich are in the market to sign the Blues forward, before the February 3 deadline.

Nkunku has scored 13 goals in 28 appearances for Chelsea so far this term, five of which have come in the Europa Conference League. Despite being a regular starter in Europe, Enzo Maresca has only handed Nkunku three starts across the Premier League, which has resulted in two goals.

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It's a lack of regular game-time that has fuelled the speculation that Nkunku could leave Chelsea. The France international first signed for the Blues from RB Leipzig in 2023 in a £52million and is under contract until 2029.

ESPN reporter Julien Laurens has issued a warning to Nkunku about what could happen if he were to leave Chelsea. The message also shared an update on the likelihood of Bayern wanting to sign Nkunku before the winter's transfer slams shut at 11pm on the cut-off date.

"If he [Nkunku] goes to Bayern, then he's not going to play ahead of Harry Kane and he's not a lone striker anyway," Laurens told ESPN. "He's not going to play behind Harry Kane - because that's where Jamal Musiala plays - and right now there's no way you'd drop Musiala to put Nkunku in.

"He can play wide, I guess, but he's not the same threat as Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry or Leroy Sane, and they already have four [players] for the two wings.

"So from a Bayern point of view, if you can afford him at €60million-€70million [£50.8million-£59.2million], then you take him. He's a luxury player for you, because you don't really need him. But if you are behind, or drawing, then you can put him up front with Kane and Musiala in a No.10 behind. Yes, I can understand that.

"But, from his point of view, he would go from being a sub at Chelsea to a sub at Bayern, as well. And right now, I still can't see Bayern spending €65million [£55million] or so on Nkunku."