Newcastle and Man Utd were ‘ready to push the limits’ for Christopher Nkunku

Newcastle United and Manchester United were reportedly prepared to make major financial efforts to sign Christopher Nkunku this summer, only for the Frenchman to reject both Premier League clubs in favour of a return to RB Leipzig.

Nkunku completed his move back to Leipzig late in the transfer window, and sporting director Marcel Schäfer has now revealed just how difficult the Bundesliga club’s pursuit could have been.

According to Schäfer, two Premier League sides were prepared to go significantly further financially than Leipzig could manage.

BILD identifies Newcastle and Manchester United as the two English clubs competing for Nkunku.

“This transfer wouldn’t have happened without Christo’s steadfastness,” Schäfer said.

“Two Premier League clubs were ready to push the limits—we wouldn’t have stood a chance against that.”

Despite the financial opportunities available in England, Nkunku reportedly made his position clear. He wanted Leipzig and was not interested in joining either Newcastle or Manchester United.

That determination ultimately allowed Leipzig to complete a transfer they may otherwise have struggled to afford.

Nkunku’s desire to return also impressed Schäfer because Leipzig were looking for more than simply another experienced attacking player.

The club wanted someone capable of becoming an important figure within a young squad.

“It was personally very important to me that we bring in someone with impeccable character,” Schäfer explained.

“Someone who displays an incredible hunger to prove himself all over again. And off the pitch, too, we need a role model whom the young players can look up to.”

Nkunku’s insistence on joining Leipzig appears to have reinforced the club’s belief that he possessed exactly that mentality.

Newcastle’s interest was particularly strong during the closing stages of the transfer window.

The Magpies had reportedly proposed taking Nkunku from Milan on loan with an obligation to buy as they attempted to strengthen their attack.

Their pursuit continued deep into August, with Newcastle competing against Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund for the 28-year-old.

The latest information suggests Newcastle were prepared to make an even greater effort to secure him, but the player’s preference ultimately ended their chances.

Manchester United’s involvement had been less clear during the summer.

Unlike Newcastle, they were not consistently presented as a serious destination by reports in Germany or Italy, with most of the links coming from England.

BILD now insists United were involved and, alongside Newcastle, were prepared to push financially to land Nkunku.

It ultimately made little difference. Nkunku had already decided where he wanted to play, leaving both Premier League clubs unable to change his mind.

Nkunku will now focus on re-establishing himself at Leipzig after making his preferred return to the Bundesliga.

For Newcastle and Manchester United, attention will inevitably turn towards whether another attacking move is required when the January transfer window opens.

Newcastle’s willingness to pursue Nkunku so aggressively suggests they were serious about adding another experienced attacker, while the revelation of Manchester United’s interest provides another indication of the type of attacking profile they considered during the summer.