Sporting Director Confirms That Newcastle And Man United Target Snubbed “2 Premier League Clubs”
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RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer has confirmed that reported Newcastle United target Christopher Nkunku turned down approaches from Premier League teams to secure his return to Germany.
The former Chelsea player joined the Bundesliga side on loan from AC Milan a week before the transfer window closed last month.
Nkunku played for Leipzig between 2019 and 2023, and Schafer said the player wanted to have a second spell at the club:
“The transfer wouldn’t have happened without Christo’s steadfastness. 2 Premier League clubs were prepared to go to the limit – we wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
Newcastle United were not the only PL club he snubbed
While Schafer doesn’t name the English teams involved, German tabloid BILD claim that the Magpies and Manchester United were the two clubs competing for Nkunku‘s signature.
Considering that the 28-year-old struggled during his time at Chelsea, some fans will be happy that he didn’t end up moving to St James’ Park anyway.
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An alternative to Nkunku was signed
It appears that after being rejected by the France international, sporting director Ross Wilson pivoted to recruiting another versatile forward instead.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo (who can play on the left wing or as a centre-forward like Nkunku) was signed from Lille for £51m before the transfer deadline.
The Belgian international was undoubtedly a more expensive addition than Nkunku would have been, but at 21 years of age, he does have a higher ceiling. It remains to be seen, though, whether he can reach his potential at Newcastle.