Newcastle United remains firmly involved in the race for Christopher Nkunku, but the Magpies may now need to overcome the player’s clear preference if they want to bring the AC Milan forward back to the Premier League.
The 28-year-old is a lock to leave Milan before the transfer deadline after being left without a squad number, with Newcastle and RB Leipzig emerging as the two possible destinations.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that both clubs had made direct contact with Milan regarding a deal,
and since then, it looks like Leipzig has moved ahead in the race to sign Nkunku. That said, he’s under contract at Milan, and the Serie A side is reportedly delaying an agreement in the hope Newcastle will provide the Rossoneri with a more lucrative offer.
According to TuttoMercato’s Daniel Najjar, Nkunku has already reached an agreement with Leipzig and informed Milan that returning to his former club is his preference. Milan, having all the power to sanction the final transfer, believes Newcastle could offer better financial terms and is consequently waiting before sending Nkunku to Germany.
“Milan continues to wait for Newcastle, the Rossoneri believing they can present a better offer in terms of the loan fee and the terms,” Najjar reported. “The player currently absolutely wants to go to Leipzig.”
That represents a significant change from where the situation stood Friday, when a Nkunku transfer to his former club seemed to be the only possible outcome.
Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo reported that Newcastle had sent Milan the strongest financial offer, but Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg indicated that Leipzig held the advantage because of its greater appeal to Nkunku.
The financial element now appears to be exactly why Milan has not simply granted the Frenchman his preferred move, and is still more than willing to send him the other way as long as Newcastle pay the money the Italians want.
According to TuttoMercato’s Nicholas Righi, Milan and Leipzig are discussing a loan containing an option to buy, with the overall package potentially reaching €33-35 million (£28.5-30 million). Newcastle, however, is reportedly willing to offer a straight transfer offer worth approximately €35 million (£30 million).
Nkunku’s preference is hardly surprising given his history in Germany, as he scored 70 goals and provided 56 assists in 172 appearances for Leipzig between 2019 and 2023, and won individual accolades in the Bundesliga.
Would you try to beat Leipzig’s offer despite Nkunku preferring Germany, or move on to another player clearly interested in joining Newcastle? Let us know in the comments section below!
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