Chelsea head coach Graham Potter refused to comment on speculation linking Christopher Nkunku and Cristiano Ronaldo with moves to the club.
Nkunku has been reported to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea ahead of a proposed transfer next summer after undergoing a secret medical in Germany before the end of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea are ready to pay in excess of his €60 million release clause that becomes active in the summer of 2023 following Nkunku’s new deal until 2026 that he signed back in June.
Advert
The new owners have made their mark since arriving in May, splashing the cash, spending in excess of £250 million on new players for then head coach Thomas Tuchel, which Graham Potter, who succeeded Tuchel, now gets to benefit from.
One player Tuchel didn’t want in the summer was Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
READ MORE: What Kalidou Koulibaly said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs AC Milan
Advert
The owners were admirers of the Portugal international, but Tuchel opted against it, leaving the forward to remain at Old Trafford.
However, reports have surfaced that Erik ten Hag is now willing to let Ronaldo leave in January after he expressed a desire to depart mid-way through the season.
It now leaves co-owner Todd Boehly with a decision to make as to whether he wants to make a renewed bid for the superstar.
Advert
Potter refused to comment on both Nkunku and Ronaldo ahead of their crucial Champions League tie against AC Milan on Wednesday night, with Chelsea needing a victory to keep their Group E hopes alive of progressing into the knockout stages.
On Nkunku, Potter said: "I don't speak about players that aren't Chelsea players."
READ MORE: What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash vs AC Milan
Ronaldo’s name got mentioned and asked shortly after, with Potter responding: "We can spend all day asking these questions, but I'm not going to speak about anyone else.
"Whilst they aren't our players, I don't speak about them."
Advert
The 47-year-old knows the owners are ambitious but will keep his focus on improving the players he currently has at his disposal, before switching attention to the transfer window where all parties can align their thoughts.
Potter continued: "The guys are ambitious. They want to develop the club and team. My job as head coach is to develop the players here, then work with the club to align decisions with the club when the transfer window opens."
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Christopher Nkunku, Graham Potter, Chelsea, Transfers, Football
Matthew Debono