RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has admitted that his side face an uphill battle in their pursuit of Everton forward Ademola Lookman.
The Bundesliga outfit have been chasing a permanent deal for the young attacker following his impressive temporary spell at the club in the second half of last season.
Die Roten Bullen made several attempts to sign Lookman in the summer but their advances were rebuffed by Everton, who stood firm in their stance that the former Charlton Athletic star would not be sold.
Leipzig have been linked with a fresh swoop for the versatile England Under-21 international ahead of the January transfer window. Rangnick, however, is not optimistic about his team’s chances.
The manager told Leipziger Volkszeitung, as translated by Sport Witness, that the likelihood of a transfer involving their former loanee in the winter is slim. He said:
It’s very unlikely that Everton will give him away.
Lookman has made only one Premier League start this season, coming off the bench eight times, but has yet to find the back of the net.
