RB Leipzig boss provides update on chase of Everton’s Ademola Lookman

RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick this morning provided a brief update on the German outfit’s pursuit of Everton winger Ademola Lookman.

Highly-regarded

Lookman, a gifted English U21 international, made the move to Goodison Park in January of last year for a fee that could eventually rise to £11 million.

However, following a difficult spell with the Toffees during which he managed just 4 Premier League starts over the space of 12 months, the pacy attacker was informed that he would be allowed to depart the club on loan this past January.

In the end, against the wishes of then-Everton boss Sam Allardyce, Lookman forced through a move to Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, with the English tactician having subsequently explained:

‘It is one of the most unusual situations I’ve been in.’

‘We got some deals for him but he was adamant he chose Germany.’

Ademola Lookman scores for RB Leipzig on debut

MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 03: Ademola Lookman of Leipzig (left) celebrates wit his team after he scored a goal to make it 0:1 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and RB Leipzig at Borussia-Park on February 3, 2018 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Second spell?

Allardyce also went on to reveal that Everton tried to ‘persuade’ Lookman not to make a move that he felt as though would pose a ‘big challenge’ for the youngster’s development:

‘His stubbornness meant he got his own way. I hope he proves us all wrong.’

But Lookman has since gone on to do exactly that in proving the Everton hierarchy wrong, by lighting up the Bundesliga during his brief spell in Germany.

Across 11 league outings since January, the gifted winger racked up 5 goals and 4 assists, with RB Leipzig director of sport Ralf Rangnick, who is set to take over manager duties at the Red Bull Arena this summer, having revealed two weeks ago that the club are keen to bring Lookman back to Germany for next season:

#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

‘Still part of Everton’

However, amid claims that Lookman is set to feature prominently in the plans of new Everton boss Marco Silva next season, Rangnick provided a further update on his side’s pursuit of the gifted wide-man this morning, revealing that, despite the player’s will, Leipzig are struggling to convince the Toffees to entertain the idea of Lookman departing the club once again over the coming weeks:

Ralf Ragnick: “We would like to see the player with us, it’s well known he would like to come. But he’s Everton’s, and as long as we can not reach an agreement with them, he’s still part of Everton. It does not help us to give more information at this stage” #Lookman #RBL #EFC pic.twitter.com/nx7wh2OkUp

— Chris Williams (@Chris78Williams) July 21, 2018