Newcastle 'well behind' RB Leipzig in race for Nkunku, says Milan expert
Quick summary
A Milan-based transfer expert claims Newcastle United are trailing RB Leipzig in the race to sign Christopher Nkunku, who is also attracting interest from AC Milan.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLa Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that Christopher Nkunku prefers a return to RB Leipzig to a move to Newcastle United, with Milan ready to part ways with the Frenchman on loan, with an option to buy.
French striker Nkunku is getting closer to a return to RB Leipzig, where he already played from 2019 to 2023.
Nkunku close to RB Leipzig return despite Newcastle talks Nkunku is not part of Ruben Amorim’s plans for next season, and both Leipzig and Newcastle are in talks with Milan.
According to the latest update from Gazzetta’s Milan reporter Luca Bianchin , however, the Magpies are ‘well behind’ Leipzig in the race for the ex-Chelsea striker, who has only spent one season at San Siro, having joined Milan a year ago from the Blues.
Nkunku only scored eight goals in 35 competitive appearances for Milan last season after a move worth €37m plus add-ons.
GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Christopher Nkunku of Milan scores a goal on a penalty kick during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) According to the report, Milan and Leipzig are expected to finalise a loan deal with an option to buy in the coming days, with Leipzig paying the striker’s €5m salary for 2026-27.
Leipzig have also sent Eljif Elmas on loan to Atalanta, with La Dea confirming the deal just a few minutes ago.
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What happened
Transfer speculation surrounds Christopher Nkunku, with Newcastle United reportedly lagging behind RB Leipzig in the pursuit of the French forward. A Milan expert speaking to Football Italia suggested that both Leipzig and AC Milan are better positioned than Newcastle to secure the player's signature. The report highlights the competitive nature of the chase for Nkunku, with the Italian source framing the English club as a distant third in the race. No concrete offers or negotiations have been confirmed at this stage.
Chance analysis
Christopher Nkunku continues to attract heavyweight interest across Europe's top leagues, and the framing of this report — from a Milan-focused outlet with a self-interested perspective — should be read with that bias in mind. The suggestion that Newcastle are 'well behind' serves a dual purpose: it bolsters Leipzig's negotiating position and keeps Milan in the conversation. For Newcastle, missing out on a player of Nkunku's caliber would force them to pivot to alternative targets in the window.
Newcastle's attack unlikely to be reinforced by Nkunku in the short term, potentially leaving their forward line unchanged for upcoming fixtures.