RB Leipzig manager Ralph Rangnick has confirmed that the club are in transfer talks with Everton over securing the return of Ademola Lookman, who he says wants to reunite back in Germany.
The 20-year-old spent last season with the Bundesliga outfit, making 11 appearances for his loan side and scoring five goals with another four assists under his belt.
Now Rangnick, who only officially took over as Leipzig’s manager on Monday, has told the media that the club are in discussions with the Toffees to take him back, and that the speedster himself wants a move back to Germany.
He was quoted on the club’s English Twitter account as saying: “I think 3 more signings is realistic. We’re still in talks over Lookman – we want him back and he wants to come. We’re also looking at something in central midfield, whether that’s a no. 6, 8 or 10.”
#Rangnick with a transfer update: "I think 3 more signings is realistic. We're still in talks over @Alookman_ – we want him back and he wants to come. We're also looking at something in central midfield, whether that's a no. 6, 8 or 10." #DieRotenBullen pic.twitter.com/TVK4KTCvCz
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) July 9, 2018
Opinion
Well the cat is well and truly out of the bag over this one, and any hopes that Everton might have had over keeping discussions over Lookman’s potential exit have been swiftly sunk. The youngster impressed over in Germany and it is no surprise to see that Leipzig are keen on stealing him away from the Toffees. However, whether it is true or not that Lookman himself wants to leave Goodison Park is up for debate, and that could well be Rangnick trying to stir up some trouble in the public eye to force a move through. Everton will not be happy with that and could well pull the plug on any sort of deal – be it permanent or another loan – much to the German side’s disappointment. Could he play a part in Marco Silva’s first team on Merseyside? If he can replicate the form shown over with Leipzig, then he could be a dangerous option from the bench.