RB Leipzig Ready to Move On From Johan Bakayoko as January Exit Looms
Johan Bakayoko’s future at RB Leipzig appears increasingly uncertain, with the club reportedly prepared to part ways with the Belgian winger during the January transfer window. According to Sport BILD, Leipzig have lost patience after the 22-year-old slipped down the attacking pecking order and made little impact since joining from PSV Eindhoven.
The situation marks a sharp turn for a player who arrived in Germany with considerable promise. Leipzig paid PSV a reported €18 million in the summer of 2025, securing Bakayoko on a contract running until 2030. The Belgium international, who has earned 18 senior caps, was expected to add pace, direct running and creativity to the club’s forward line. Instead, injuries, limited playing time and a disciplinary issue have left his career at Leipzig at a crossroads.
Bakayoko’s Role Has Shrunk at Leipzig
Bakayoko’s first season in Leipzig was disrupted by fitness problems. He made 22 appearances across competitions but scored only three goals, numbers that reflected how difficult it was for him to establish a consistent rhythm. For a winger adapting to a new league and tactical system, regular minutes can be crucial; repeated interruptions made it harder for him to build momentum or secure a settled role.
This season has brought even fewer opportunities. Bakayoko has played just 144 minutes, while younger attacking options have moved ahead of him in the competition for selection. Brajan Gruda, 22, Tidiam Gomis, 20, and Andrija Maksimovic, 19, are all reportedly preferred choices, leaving Bakayoko fourth in the pecking order.
That hierarchy is especially significant because Leipzig are managing a demanding schedule. With domestic and European commitments placing extra pressure on the squad, rotation would normally create chances for players outside the first-choice lineup. Bakayoko’s continued absence suggests the issue may extend beyond simple competition for minutes.
Disciplinary Incident Adds to the Pressure
A disciplinary episode in early October further complicated the winger’s position. Leipzig reportedly suspended Bakayoko after he arrived late for a team meeting. Since then, he has not even been included on the substitutes’ bench, a notable change for a player who was recruited as a long-term attacking option.
Professional standards and punctuality are important in any dressing room, particularly at a club competing across multiple competitions. However, the extended exclusion also raises questions about whether the relationship between player and club can be repaired. A temporary suspension may be manageable, but a prolonged spell outside the matchday squad can make a return to regular involvement increasingly difficult.
January Transfer Could Suit Both Sides
Reports indicate that Leipzig would like to sell Bakayoko in January, while the player is also said to be open to leaving eastern Germany. If both sides share that view, the winter window could offer a practical solution: Leipzig could free up space in their attacking group, while Bakayoko could seek a club where he has a clearer path to first-team football.
Any move will depend on the structure of a potential deal. Leipzig may prefer a permanent transfer to recover a significant portion of their investment, but a loan with an option or obligation to buy could appeal to clubs that want to assess his form before committing. The reported €18 million fee paid to PSV will likely influence negotiations, particularly if Leipzig are reluctant to accept a substantial loss so soon after signing him.
Transfermarkt currently values Bakayoko at around €20 million. That figure offers a useful reference point, but it does not guarantee Leipzig will receive that amount. His age, international experience and previous performances in the Netherlands may attract interest, while his limited minutes this season could give potential buyers leverage in talks.
What a New Club Would Be Getting
Bakayoko remains a young, internationally experienced winger with time to rebuild his reputation. His profile is built around attacking qualities that can be valuable in modern football: speed, one-on-one ability and the capacity to stretch a defence from wide areas. A change of environment could help him regain confidence, especially if a new coach can provide a defined role and consistent opportunities.
Still, a transfer would not automatically solve every problem. A buying club would need to assess his fitness, match sharpness and suitability for its tactical approach. Bakayoko would also need to show that he can respond positively to competition and meet the standards expected within a professional squad. The next stage of his career may depend as much on consistency and discipline as on natural talent.
Prediction: January Departure Looks Increasingly Likely
Based on the reported loss of trust, his place behind three younger attackers and his continued absence from Leipzig’s matchday plans, a January exit appears to be the most likely outcome. That prediction could change if Bakayoko returns to training with a strong attitude and earns a route back into the squad, but the current signs point toward a separation rather than a renewed partnership.
For Leipzig, the decision will be about balancing squad planning with the need to protect the value of an investment made only recently. For Bakayoko, the priority is likely to be regular football and a fresh opportunity to demonstrate why he was considered a promising signing. The winter transfer window could therefore prove pivotal for both parties—and determine whether the Belgian’s next chapter begins in a new league or at another club seeking an attacking boost.
