As RB Leipzig gears up for the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, their ambitions are as high as ever, with eyes set on domestic glory and a strong showing in the UEFA Champions League.
The club has secured the services of Xavi Simons for another season, a crucial move that solidifies their midfield strength.
Simons, whose market value doubled from €40 million to €80 million last season, has become one of the most valuable loan signings in football history.
His continued presence in the squad is a cornerstone of Leipzig’s strategy for the upcoming season.
However, the departure of Dani Olmo to Barcelona leaves a significant void that needs to be addressed.
In this Red Bull Leipzig recruitment analysis, we will delve into how RB Leipzig and their sporting director Rouven Schröder plan to fill this gap.
We will explore other key transfers that will shape their squad for the challenges ahead, according to data and statistics.
As we will see in this analysis, RB Leipzig boasts a squad valued at €537.13 million, with 24 players averaging 25.4 years of age.
The team is highly international, with 18 foreign players, and 15 of them are national team members.
Despite their ambitious transfer activities, the club’s current transfer record stands at a deficit of €12.00 million, highlighting their commitment to building a competitive team for the upcoming season.
RB Leipzig Departures
RB Leipzig have seen several departures ahead of the 2024/25 season.
While each is leaving an impact on the squad, most of the departures are loans of young talents.
Dani Olmo’s departure to FC Barcelona marks the end of an era for RB Leipzig and leaves a significant void in the team.
Olmo was not just a playmaker but the heartbeat of Leipzig’s attack.
His exceptional dribbling ability, combined with his sharp footballing mind, made him the creative hub of the team.
Olmo had a unique ability to operate between the lines, linking midfield and attack seamlessly.
His vision and passing range allowed him to break down even the most organised defences, while his knack for scoring crucial goals added another dimension to his game.
With Olmo gone, Leipzig loses a player who consistently delivered in big moments.
His ability to control the tempo of the game, dictate play, and provide the final pass will be sorely missed.
Additionally, Olmo’s leadership on the pitch—his calmness under pressure and his experience in high-stakes matches—will be difficult to replace.
Among the most notable is the transfer of Angeliño to AS Roma.
The 27-year-old left-back, known for his attacking prowess and ability to deliver precise crosses, has been a significant part of Leipzig’s wing play in the past.
Last season, he has been loaned out already.
His move to Serie A marks the end of an era on the left flank, where his dynamism and offensive contributions from his prime time will be missed.
Another departure is Hugo Novoa, the young Spanish right-back who joins Deportivo Alavés.
At just 21, Novoa had shown promise with his speed and defensive capabilities, but his move to La Liga represents an opportunity for more regular first-team football.
Leipzig also saw the exit of Janis Blaswich, the experienced German goalkeeper who has been loaned to Red Bull Salzburg.
At 33, Blaswich brought valuable experience between the posts, and his absence will leave a gap in the goalkeeping department.
Tim Schreiber, another young goalkeeper, has moved to SG Dynamo Dresden.
At 22, Schreiber was seen as a developing talent, and his transfer could provide him with the much-needed match experience.
Similarly, Sanoussy Ba, the 20-year-old right-back, has joined Eintracht Braunschweig in search of more playing time.
Ba’s versatility and youthful energy were assets to Leipzig, but his departure could allow him to grow further in the 2.
Bundesliga.
Dennis Borkowski, a 22-year-old centre-forward, has moved to FC Ingolstadt 04.
His raw potential as a goal-scorer was evident, but regular starts at Leipzig were hard to come by.
Ilaix Moriba, the highly talented midfielder from Guinea, has been loaned out to Celta de Vigo.
Moriba, who joined Leipzig with great expectations, struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup, and this loan could be a chance to rediscover his form.
Other young talents, like Tim Köhler and Yannick Eduardo, have also gone out on loan to SC Verl and De Graafschap, respectively, to gain crucial playing experience.
Lastly, Christopher Lenz, the seasoned left-back, is currently without a club.
His departure ends his brief stint with Leipzig, where he offered depth and experience in defence.
These exits, collectively, reflect Leipzig’s strategy of rejuvenating their squad while ensuring that younger players gain valuable experience elsewhere.
RB Leipzig Arrivals
RB Leipzig’s incoming transfers ahead of the 2024/25 season have injected youthful promise into the squad.
The club has made significant investments, with a total spend of €20 million and a focus on building for the future, as seen in the average age of 21.8 years among the new arrivals.
Xavi Simons’ return to RB Leipzig on loan for another season is a major coup for the club as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign.
Simons, who had a breakout season with Leipzig in 2023/24, quickly established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most electrifying talents.
His ability to influence the game from multiple positions on the pitch—whether as an attacking midfielder, winger, or even deeper in the midfield—makes him a versatile asset for any tactical setup.
Simons’ qualities are numerous and varied.
His top-tier technical skill allows him to glide past defenders easily and maintain close control even in tight spaces.
His vision and creativity are exceptional, enabling him to unlock defences with incisive passes and clever movement.
However, his intelligence and awareness on the field truly sets Simons apart.
He consistently makes the right decisions under pressure, whether it’s timing a run into the box, delivering a perfectly weighted through ball, or taking a shot on goal.
Additionally, his work rate and energy off the ball are remarkable; he’s as committed to pressing and recovering possession as he is to attacking.
One of the most prominent signings is Maarten Vandevoordt, the highly-rated 22-year-old Belgian goalkeeper from KRC Genk.
Vandevoordt arrives with a €10 million price tag, reflecting his potential as one of Europe’s up-and-coming shot-stoppers.
Known for his quick reflexes and commanding presence in the box, Vandevoordt is expected to challenge for the starting spot and stabilise Leipzig’s defence.
Joining him in the midfield is Assan Ouédraogo, an 18-year-old German-Burkinabe talent from FC Schalke 04.
Ouédraogo, also acquired for €10 million, is a dynamic central midfielder known for his vision and ball-carrying abilities.
Despite his young age, he has already shown maturity beyond his years and is seen as a long-term project who could become a key player in Leipzig’s midfield engine.
In terms of returning, André Silva, the 28-year-old Portuguese striker, returns from Real Sociedad.
Silva is a proven goal-scorer with a wealth of experience, and his return adds depth and competition to Leipzig’s attacking options.
Overall, these arrivals have strengthened RB Leipzig’s squad depth, ensuring they are well-equipped to compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming season.
RB Leipzig Squad Depth
RB Leipzig’s quality in depth will be crucial as they compete in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League, where the demands on players can be intense and unrelenting.
In goal, the arrival of Maarten Vandevoordt from KRC Genk adds a young, promising option to the experienced Péter Gulácsi and Leopold Zingerle.
Vandevoordt’s shot-stopping abilities and composure under pressure make him a strong candidate to become Leipzig’s long-term number one, while Gulácsi’s leadership and Zingerle’s reliability provide ample backup.
This trio ensures that Leipzig has one of the most well-rounded goalkeeping units in the Bundesliga.
Defensively, Leipzig boasts an impressive array of centre-backs, including the highly rated Castello Lukeba and Mohamed Simakan.
Both bring youth, athleticism, and versatility to the backline.
They are complemented by the towering El Chadaille Bitshiabu, a 19-year-old French prodigy from PSG, who adds significant physical presence.
Veteran defenders like Willi Orbán and Lukas Klostermann offer leadership and experience, critical in guiding the younger players through high-pressure situations.
The full-back positions are well-covered, with David Raum on the left and Benjamin Henrichs on the right.
Both are known for their defensive solidity and ability to contribute in attack.
In midfield, the combination of youth and experience is even more pronounced.
The return of Xavi Simons, after a stellar season, is a massive boost.
Along with the industrious Xaver Schlager and Amadou Haidara, Simons ensures that Leipzig can maintain a high tempo and press effectively.
New signing Assan Ouédraogo, with his physicality and vision, adds a fresh dynamic to the midfield, while veterans like Kevin Kampl provide calmness and experience, especially in tight situations.
The creative spark in attacking midfield is covered with players like Eljif Elmas, and Christoph Baumgartner, who can unlock defences with their passing and movement.
However, the transfer of Dani Olmo to FC Barcelona leaves a big gap in terms of creativity.
While Leipzig still has quality in its ranks, finding someone who can replicate Olmo’s blend of creativity, intelligence, and composure will be a daunting task.
We used our xGold tool to find similar players to replace the Spanish Playmaker.
According to our xGold data model, Sofiane Diop from OGC Nice, Bilal El Khannouss from KRC Genk, and Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon emerge as ideal replacements for Dani Olmo at RB Leipzig.
Each of these players brings a unique set of skills and attributes that align closely with Olmo’s contributions, as highlighted by the radar charts.
Sofiane Diop is a versatile attacking midfielder with a profile that closely mirrors Dani Olmo’s.
His dribbling ability, combined with a keen eye for dangerous passes, makes him a dynamic force in the final third.
Diop’s capability to execute progressive passes and his positioning on the field underline his potential to fill the creative void left by Olmo.
His adaptability to various roles in midfield or on the wings further adds to his value as a direct replacement.
Bilal El Khannouss excels in maintaining possession, a trait crucial for RB Leipzig’s style of play.
His strong positioning and ability to receive passes under pressure make him an excellent candidate for linking defense with attack, much like Olmo.
While his offensive metrics might not fully match Olmo’s, El Khannouss provides a solid foundation in midfield, allowing more attack-minded players to thrive.
Rayan Cherki stands out as the most creative of the three, with a flair for dribbling and making high-impact plays.
His ability to generate xG (expected goals) and his involvement in goal-creating actions make him a tantalising option for RB Leipzig.
Cherki’s attacking prowess and tendency to take on defenders mirror Olmo’s offensive contributions, making him a prime candidate to inject creativity and unpredictability into Leipzig’s attack.
Up front, Leipzig’s options are both dynamic and varied.
The Belgian forward Loïs Openda, known for his speed and clinical finishing, is expected to lead the line.
He is supported by the towering presence of Benjamin Sesko, whose physicality and aerial ability make him a formidable target man.
The experienced Yussuf Poulsen brings versatility and a work rate that will be invaluable, especially in pressing from the front.
André Silva, returning from his loan at Real Sociedad, offers a proven goal-scoring option, particularly in clutch moments.
Conclusion
This squad depth gives RB Leipzig a robust platform to compete on multiple fronts.
The blend of youth and experience allows for rotation without a significant drop in quality, essential for maintaining form across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League.
However, whether this depth is enough to secure the Bundesliga title in a season filled with high expectations will depend not just on the individual talent, but on how well the squad can gel, avoid injuries, and maintain consistency against formidable opponents like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
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