Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle looks on during a game
Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle looks on during a game
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Newcastle United tried to hijack RB Leipzig’s swoop for AC Milan attacker Christopher Nkunku, but failed due to the player’s desire.
The Magpies are desperate for more additions before the transfer window closes and bringing in another forward looks to be on their agenda.
Newcastle had contact over a possible move for Nkunku just days ago, when it emerged that the Frenchman had turned down an offer from Galatasaray.
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The battle for the out-of-favour AC Milan goal-getter intensified, but on Sunday it became clear that he would move to RB Leipzig.
The Bundesliga side have agreed a season-long loan deal with the Rossoneri, with an option to buy set at less than €30m.
Nkunku was keen for the move and only wanted to join RB Leipzig, which proved to be bad news for Newcastle.
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, ‘Newcastle wanted to hijack’ RB Leipzig’s deal for Nkunku.
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They were unable to though as the forward was insistent he would only move to RB Leipzig.
Nkunku, 28, knows all about RB Leipzig and played some of his best football for the German side during a spell from 2019 to 2023.
He then moved to Chelsea, where he struggled to make an impact and then to AC Milan last summer.
Now Nkunku is convinced he can get back on track in the familiar environment of RB Leipzig.
That desire will be shared by the German club as they look for Nkunku to convince them that they should sign him on a permanent basis next summer.
For Nkunku, rekindling his earlier form could help with his France ambitions as the road to Euro 2028 begins.
Newcastle have all too often been on the receiving end of hijack attempts in recent transfer windows and they tried to turn the tables with Nkunku.