Christopher Nkunku seals Leipzig return in €3m loan move from AC Milan

France forward Christopher Nkunku has returned to RB Leipzig from AC Milan on a season-long loan worth €3m, bringing the 28-year-old back to the Bundesliga club where he established himself as one of Europe’s leading attacking players.

Nkunku’s move was completed on 25 August 2026, with the loan running until 30 June 2027. He joins Leipzig after one season in Italy, having moved to AC Milan from Chelsea in August 2025 for €37m.

The centre-forward had not made an appearance for Milan in Serie A during the opening game of the 2026-27 campaign before switching clubs. His return gives Leipzig a familiar attacking figure who previously spent four seasons with the club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 for €19.5m.

Nkunku’s first spell in Germany produced some of the most successful years of his career. He helped Leipzig win the German Cup in 2022 and 2023, and was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year in 2022. He was also the Bundesliga’s top scorer in the 2022-23 season, finishing with 16 goals.

The forward left Leipzig for Chelsea in July 2023 in a €60m transfer. During his time in England, he won the Conference League in the 2024-25 season and the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.

Before moving to Germany, Nkunku came through the Paris Saint-Germain academy and won three French league titles, two French Cups, two French League Cups and three French Super Cups with the Paris club. He made his senior move from Paris Saint-Germain’s reserve side to the first team in December 2015.

Nkunku is listed as a centre-forward and favours his right foot. Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, he holds French and Democratic Republic of Congo nationality and stands 1.77m tall.

His return marks a second spell at Leipzig after the club sold him to Chelsea three years ago, followed by his move to Milan last summer. Leipzig have now secured Nkunku’s services on loan from AC Milan until the end of June 2027 for a €3m fee.