According to Sky Sports, RB Leipzig will only entertain offers of ‘at least’ £22m for Newcastle target Ademola Lookman – but insist that talks are continuing between the two clubs.
This comes from Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, who states that the Bundesliga club have insisted they won’t sell him for a penny less than the £22m they paid to sign him from Everton last summer.
Here’s what he had to say during a Tuesday night update on our pursuit of the 22-year-old winger:
“Talks continue between Newcastle and RB Leipzig over the signing of winger Ademola Lookman.
“It’s thought Leipzig would only entertain offers at least matching the £22m they paid Everton in the summer.”
(See his snippet on Lookman 1 minute 48 seconds into the clip above)
If true, it looks like the England U-21 international may only arrive on loan if we agree to pay £22m PLUS for him this summer.
A loan with an option to buy will no doubt suit us, but I struggle to see the Bundesliga leaders loaning out a player they’ve just spent big money on if there’s no guarantee of them at least getting their money back at the end of it?
Considering we were reportedly off put by Hull City’s £20m valuation of Jarrod Bowen – a player who’s scored goals for fun in the Championship over the past 18 months – these new claims on Lookman make you wonder if RB Leipzig’s asking price could put us off.
A loan deal with an option to buy may be the ideal scenario for us, but if they demand on an ‘obligation’ to buy at £22m plus, I can see us walking away.
