Blues successfully see off Bundesliga outfit’s protracted pursuit of 20-year-old forward
RB Leipzig appear to have ended their lengthy pursuit of Everton starlet Ademola Lookman at long last.
The Bundesliga club chased the forward, who spent six months on loan with them last season, all summer but were continuously rebuffed in their efforts to permanently sign him.
German news outlet Kicker (via the Liverpool Echo) has now hinted that Leipzig no longer want to try and prise him away from Goodison Park, with manager Ralf Rangnick stating that his side are chasing other targets.
Leipzig are thought to be after New York Red Bulls attacker Tyler Adams and Salzburg midfielder Amadou Haidara – signings which would make Lookman’s potential arrival now obsolete.
Everton boss Marco Silva and director of football Marcel Brands had stressed that Lookman would not be sold by the club to Leipzig as he was part of the “present and future” of the Blues.
And after knocking back three bids from Leipzig for the Charlton Athletic youth product, Everton have successfully fended off their advances for good, it would appear.
The 20-year-old made his first appearance for the Toffees this term in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.
Lookman replaced the injured Theo Walcott for the final half-hour of the stalemate on Merseyside, but looked rusty due to his lack of match sharpness and the fact that he had only recently recovered from a groin problem.
Lookman hadn’t featured before then due to his apparent lack of professionalism in training, but Silva stated that the winger was ready to put in the hard yards to make up for lost time for Everton.
Lookman enjoyed his loan spell with Leipzig between January and May last season, and weighed in with five goals and four assists in just 11 outings.
With Everton’s injury list growing since the start of the season, he may have more chances to impress and stake a serious claim for a starting berth under Silva once the international break is over on September 16.