ARSENAL transfer target Christopher Nkunku will stay at RB Leipzig for at least another season, according to the German club's managing director Oliver Mintzlaff.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the 24-year-old attacking midfielder in the summer.

But their hopes of acquiring him later this year have now suffered a major blow as Mintzlaff has revealed Leipzig's intention to keep him.

Speaking to Sky Deutschland, he said: "He [Nkunku] will also play with us next season because of course he is a very important player.

"In football nothing is ever certain, but that's our plan."

He then went on to add: "Of course, players like Dani Olmo, Nkunku or Andre Silva are very, very important pillars who can and should continue to develop with us.

And he finished by insisting "that we will start the coming season with these players".

Nkunku has enjoyed a remarkably impressive campaign so far.

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In 30 appearances in all competitions, the Frenchman has scored 18 goals and assisted a further 13.

Most recently, he netted in the 3-2 defeat to champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.

It is that form which has led Arsenal to be linked with a £27million move in the summer.

He is under contract with Leipzig until 2024.

Nkunku joined the German outfit from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after netting 11 times in 79 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants.

And while he did play 29 times for PSG in the season before departing, he insists he does not regret the decision.

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He told Kicker: "I wouldn't say it was easy for me to leave PSG.

"But I had to go for the sake of my development. I wasn't playing enough in Paris. I made the right decision.

"The package here in Leipzig is perfect: the structures, the philosophy, the sporting objectives, the opportunities which young players have to grow at this club."

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