RB Leipzig have a reputation for unearthing top talent and their players have found themselves under the transfer spotlight once again.
RB Leipzig’s Transfer Policy: Develop Talent and Then Develop Profit Margins
The club’s transfer policy is a point of contention for some. While RB Leipzig manages to produce some top talent they also have no qualms about selling them, in fact, they encourage it. Their reputation, transfer policy, and ownership has caused some rival fans to boycott their games. However, Naby Keita is a prime example of how effective the robust business plan is. Keita joined Liverpool for a whopping £54 million. This is just one of a number of done deals and more look to follow. It seems RB Leipzig are masters at crafting players into profitable assets, with more to come.
Are Further Big Deals Incoming?
Every day there are news articles announcing the arrival of yet another must-buy-wonder-kid. RB Leipzig take advantage of this reporting and are experts in creating profitable stars. Fierce transfer duelling is currently taking place for a number of their players. Dayot Upamecano is already next on the shop window with a £70 million pound price tag. Arsenal are among the teams vying for Upamecano but the hefty price tag might dissuade them. Timo Werner, another young star seemingly destined for greatness, is also being linked to other clubs. The aforementioned players will fetch a hefty price which is proof that RB Leipzig’s transfer policy is working well.
The Transfer Culture at RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig are well-known across football and are top contenders in the Bundesliga. However, their reputation in Germany is muddied by their somewhat unconventional rise to the top. The club, formerly known as SSV Markranstädt, was bought by Redbull in 2009 and thus their past, present, and future changed forever. The newfound wealth allowed the club to catapult itself into the Bundesliga. One key feature of how the club operates is its transfer policy and playing style. The club rarely signs players over the age of 24 and plays attractive football. This allows the club to focus on the potential and future market value of players. While their insistence on using attractive, attacking tactics creates the perfect shop-window for any would-be buyers.
Should Football Come Before Business?
The policies in place at RB Leipzig may seem counter-intuitive, after all, no fan enjoys their team cashing in on their best players. The fast rise of RB Leipzig has also infuriated some rival fans in Germany, who believe that the way the club operates is anti-football. When speaking to the Guardian, Jan-Henrik Gruszecki, a spokesperson of a protest against RB Leipzig, said Leipzig plays football in order to sell a product and a lifestyle.” But no one can deny that RB Leipzig consistently perform well. The team seamlessly replaces their big-name stars and if they can continue this, and keep their fans happy, then its a simple case of having their cake and eating it too.
Main Photo
