German outlet Kicker report RB Leipzig closing in on Nicolas Kuhn deal

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The Celtic Star

·24. Juni 2025

German outlet Kicker report RB Leipzig closing in on Nicolas Kuhn deal

RB Leipzig are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Celtic over Nicolas Kuhn, suggesting the winger may soon be on his way out of the Scottish champions, according to a report in Germany…

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

Kuhn’s old club has emerged as a serious contender to re-sign him this summer, with fresh reports indicating their interest is growing.

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Kuhn became a standout performer for Celtic last season

After taking six months to adjust to life in Glasgow following his £3 million transfer from Rapid Vienna, Kuhn became a standout performer for Celtic last season, and although his form dipped during the second half of the season, he still ended the campaign with an impressive tally of 21 goals and 15 assists.

Such impressive numbers were bound to draw speculation, and it is understood that Premier League sides Brighton, Bournemouth, and Newcastle had been monitoring his progress.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic vies with Harry Milne of Hearts during theScottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday 29th March 2025. Photo Andy Buchanan/Shutterstock

However, a potential £15 million move back to Leipzig was also suggested following his performance and goal against Marco Rose’s side in the Champions League back in November last year.

Talks have reportedly accelerated in recent days

According to the highly respected German outlet Kicker, discussions between Celtic and the Bundesliga club have now progressed to an “advanced stage.” Talks have reportedly accelerated in recent days, putting the German side ahead of any English clubs in the race to secure his signature.

With four years remaining on his contract, the suggested £15m fee – though lower than what Celtic have received for other top players in past summer transfer windows – would still represent a significant return on the £3m they invested in January 2024.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic and Jack Iredale of Hibernian challenge for the ball Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Kicker outline that Kuhn is open to a move back to Germany

Kicker outline that Kuhn is open to a move back to Germany, driven by his goal of earning a place in the national team setup. Several other clubs in the Bundesliga are reportedly keeping a close eye on the developments.

With Celtic monitoring several wingers, the news of Kuhn’s departure will not come as any surprise to supporters or more importantly, Brendan Rodgers.

Conor Spence

Nicolas Kuhn fee could be used to land Mathias Kvistgaarden

Nicolas Kühn of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the SPL | Premier League match between Dundee United FC and Celtic FC at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic star Nicolas Kuhn is reportedly in talks with RB Leipzig over a move to the Bundesliga, and whilst it would be a blow to lose a player of his ability, the reputed £15 million fee will mark a significant profit on the £3 million shelled out for the German just 18 months ago, and hopefully the fee will be reinvested back into the squad.

Nygren could be a straight replacement for Kuhn

Benjamin Nygren could be a straight like-for-like replacement for Nicolas Kuhn, but we still need to strengthen our squad and all of the fee received should immediately be handed to Brendan Rodgers with the sole aim of adding quality to his team.

The player I reckon that we should be targeting is Mathias Kvistgaarden. The Dane has been on Celtic’s wish-list for some time but our pursuit of the Brondby man has gone rather cold due to the increased £10 -£12 million price tag placed on his head.

Broendby IF v Randers FC, 3F Superliga, Broendby, Denmark 21st, April 2025. Mathias Kvistgaarden (36) of Broendby IF seen after the 3F Superliga match between Broendby IF and Randers FC at Broendby Stadion. Photo Gonzales Photo Rune Mathiesen

Who better than Kvistgaarden?

But with a reported £15 million (at least) heading our way if Kuhn returns home to Germany we could and should be using a massive slice of that to land a player who is starting to gain the attention of clubs throughout Europe.

It’s been suggested that Celtic will spend big to land the right player, and who better than Kvistgaarden? A young talented upcoming centre forward who just recently broke into the Danish international side.

F.C. Copenhagen Vs Brøndby IF in Copenhagen, Denmark – 13 April 2025 Mathias Kvistgaarden (36) of Brøndby IF celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Danish 3F Superliga match between F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF at Parken Stadium. Final score: F.C. Copenhagen 1 – 2 Brøndby IF Photo: Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg

Signing a player of such potential and quality would be a major statement of our ambition going forward, snd hopefully the first of a few more quality additions over the summer.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Nicolas Kuhn Transfer Fee Debate amid RB Leipzig Interest

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is reportedly on the brink of sealing a move to RB Leipzig, with talks between the two clubs said to be at an “advanced stage.”

The German attacker, who bagged 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances last season, remains a hot property despite a noticeable dip in form during the second half of last season.

Interest in the 25-year-old has been mounting, with Newcastle United also credited with tracking his progress, although that appears to have got no further than three scouting missions. However, RB Leipzig appears to be leading the chase for the winger’s signature.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic runs with the ball under pressure from Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Valued at €12 million (£10.2 million) by Transfermarkt, Kuhn could fetch a significantly higher fee due to his long-term contract at Celtic Park, which runs until 2029. Sources suggest the final fee “is likely to be at least in line with the market value,” but potentially much more.

Celtic will have their own ideas on the price

Celtic will have their own ideas on the price and if that isn’t met then Leipzig of anyone else can forget getting a massive bargain for a player who has shown that he can excel at the elite Champions League level.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I have my doubts Celtic would get £15m for the German this summer,” Sutton

Despite the buzz, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes the club may find it difficult to command a top-tier fee for Kuhn this summer. Speaking in his RecordSport column, Sutton outlined his thoughts on the matter.

“I have my doubts Celtic would get £15m for the German this summer, for a start. He struggled at first in Scotland as he struggled having lost weight with those dental problems.”

Sutton praised Kuhn’s early-season form, describing it as “sensational,” but pointed to a post-winter dip in performance following a clash with Bayern Munich as a potential red flag.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It does pose questions about his consistency,” Chris Sutton

“He looked a certainty to clean up the player of the year awards. Yet he did go off the boil a bit… It does pose questions about his consistency,” Sutton noted.

While acknowledging the interest from Premier League sides like Newcastle, United, Chris Sutton questioned whether Kuhn would find playing time easy to come by in England.

“It just seems like the wrong time to be even considering selling,” he argued. “Celtic will struggle to get top dollar and yet I believe he will be worth more down the line.”

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

That’s what happened with Matt O’Riley last summer

As Leipzig pushes to finalise the deal, the decision could now rest with the Celtic board – cash in now, or bet on Kuhn’s long-term value. That said if the player does want a move his agent will be informed of Celtic’s asking price and the ball will be in the agent’s court to get a club willing to meet the asking price.

That’s what happened with Matt O’Riley last summer. The days of securing high quality bargains buys in the East End of Glasgow appear to be over. And that’s no bad thing.

Peter Brown

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