Newcastle United are reported to have agreed terms to sign RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman on loan following a breakthrough in negotiations.
Lookman joined the German league leaders from Everton for £16m in the summer, but has struggled to earn a spot in their starting lineup. This would be the first signing of the January transfer window for Newcastle, who are confident the deal for Lookman will be completed in the coming days.
According to a report by Football Insider, Newcastle have secured a broad agreement for Lookman to sign on loan for the rest of the season.
The deal is set to include an option to buy clause that will come into effect this summer.
The former Everton player has endured a frustrating first half of the season at Leipzig despite enjoying more fruitful times at the same club when he initially joined on loan in January 2017.
The England youth international impressed during his six-month loan spell at Leipzig two years ago, featuring in most of the side's Bundesliga games, averaging a goal or assist every 64 minutes.
Despite interest from the German side in the summer of 2018, Lookman opted to return to his parent club, Everton, for the 2018/19 campaign. But due in part to injury and falling down the pecking order, Lookman was restricted mostly to substitute appearances, starting only three league games all season for the Toffees.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old has failed to rediscover the form he enjoyed during his first spell with Leipzig this season. The club's new manager, Julian Nagelsmann, may have steered them to the top of the table, but has given Lookman just two starts in all competitions.
Newcastle will be hoping that the winger replicates the performances which made Everton keep him in 2018 as only Crystal Palace and second from bottom Watford have scored fewer league goals than the Magpies this season.
Source : 90min