Newcastle United are in the battle to sign AC Milan’s Christopher Nkunku in the final stretch of the summer window.
Four days ago, we relayed news of the Premier League side being in a three-way battle with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund to sign the forward.
On Saturday, Sport Witness covered a report from Italy explaining that Newcastle United are behind Leipzig in the transfer race.
Newcastle United not giving up
Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share more updates.
RB Leipzig have reached an agreement in principle with AC Milan to sign the Frenchman on loan with an option to buy.
The Bundesliga side are paying €3m in loan fee and secured a €27m purchase option and are negotiating to finalise his contract. Despite this, Matthias Jaissle’s side haven’t given up yet on Christopher Nkunku.
Aouna states that behind the scenes, Newcastle United are still negotiating with both the Serie A side and the player.
Their aim is to sign him on a permanent transfer. It’s unclear whether this is enough for the operation to tilt in the Tyneside club’s favour.
Manager responds to Newcastle United interest
MilanLive.it spoke to RB Leipzig manager Martin Demichelis to discuss his and Newcastle United’s interest in the 28-year-old.
He spent four years at RB Leipzig between 2019 and 2023, managing 70 goals and 56 assists from 172 matches.
Christopher Nkunku moved to Chelsea in 2023 and managed 18 goals and five assists from 62 matches. The Blues sold him to AC Milanin 2025, and his form didn’t improve in Italy [eight goals and three assists] last season.
Demichelis has refused to comment on claims the player is close to joining his new club.
“These are rumours, and I don’t comment on rumours,” he said.
When asked whether he wants to coach Nkunku, Demichelis explained: “He’s a great player, but my job is to coach the players I have available, and I’m very happy with the squad I have.”
“I’m in daily contact with sporting director Marcel Schafer. We still have a few days until the deal closes, so we’ll see what happens. Some players may come, others may go.”
MilanLive.it asked the manager whether the player prefers Leipzig over Newcastle United.
He added: “That’s a question for him, not me.”
On Leipzig wanting the attacker after the three ‘disastrous seasons’, Demichelis said: “As I said, those aren’t questions for me.”
🚨EXCL: 🔴⚫️🇫🇷 #SerieA |
🔐 Accord de principe trouvé entre l’AC Milan et le RB Leipzig pour Christopher Nkunku
💰 Prêt payant de 3M€ + 27M€ d’option d’achat.
❗️Négociations toujours en cours avec le joueur pour trouver un accord contractuel
👀 Newcastle négocie toujours… pic.twitter.com/Xz6jwEnHlV
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) August 22, 2026
