‘Excellent player’: Nagelsmann hails reported Wolves target but rules out signing him

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Julian Nagelsmann is a big fan of Atletico Madrid bench-warmer Thomas Lemar but, speaking to TMW, he has ruled out a move to RB Leipzig for the reported Wolverhampton Wanderers target.

Wolves might have spent over £70 million on new signings this window but do not make the mistake in assuming that there will not be one more eye-catching addition before Monday’s 5pm deadline.

Le10 Sport reported last week that Wolves have opened talks with Atletico over a deal that would see Lemar, the 2018 World Cup winner, arrive at Molineux.

There are obstacles to overcome of course – namely Lemar’s £105,000-a-week wages (Marca).

But, after Everton withdrew their offer for a man who won Ligue 1 with Monaco alongside Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho and Bernardo Silva in 2017, Leipzig too have now backed out of the conversation.

“He is an excellent player, with great potential and I know he is not training with his current club,” Nagelsmann says, suggesting that Lemar is out of the first-team picture at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“But he is also a player who is currently off our radar.”

Bayern Munich have signed two struggling La Liga stars on loan deals in recent years but, according to Goal, it is unlikely that Lemar will follow in the footsteps of James Rodriguez and Philippe Coutinho at the Allianz Arena.

The £53 million winger has been a huge disappointment in the Spanish capital, contributing just three goals and three assists in 53 La Liga games at Atletico.

Lemar has also played just 13 of a possible 180 minutes under Diego Simeone this season.