Everton blow as Leipzig chief confirms Rangnick to sign contract

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Everton are reportedly interested in luring RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick to Goodison Park.

Rangnick (R) with manager Ralph Hasenhüttl and summer signing Jean-Kévin Augustin.

RB Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff has told German newspaper Bild that sporting director Ralf Rangnick will sign a new contract with the ambitious German side after reported interest from Everton.

The Daily Mail claim 58-year-old Rangnick, who has managed sides such as Schalke, Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, is the Toffees’ newest managerial target after missing out on Watford’s Marco Silva.

It is believed that Everton offered £10million for Silva’s services, but have been rejected and are now targeting Rangnick who has a contract with Leipzig until the summer of 2019 to finally fill the void left by Ronald Koeman.

However, Mintzlaff has told Bild that Rangnick’s contract will be extended before the end of the week, ahead of schedule, in what is likely to be an attempt to deter the Toffees.

“We expect to extend the contract ahead of schedule this week,” Mintzlaff said. “Ralf Rangnick is the sportive engine of our club and therefore also elementary for our future development.

“Since we have 100 per cent the same ideas, we want to continue the same: make even more stars out of jewels, stay attractive in all areas of the club and continue to grow organically.”

The Mail report claims Rangnick was even interviewed by England after the resignation of Roy Hodgson following a disappointing Euro 2016, which saw the Three Lions crash out to Iceland.

Interim manager David Unsworth is set to continue in his role as interim manager for the time being, as Everton play host to Serie A side Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night at Goodison Park.