Johan Bakayoko Could Leave RB Leipzig for €12 Million This Winter
Johan Bakayoko’s time at RB Leipzig could be heading toward an early turning point, with the German club reportedly prepared to consider offers of around €12 million during the winter transfer window. According to Sky Sports Germany, Leipzig are open to selling the Belgian winger, although a loan move has not been ruled out. Any departure would come just months after the 23-year-old joined from PSV Eindhoven on a long-term contract.
The situation has developed quickly. Bakayoko arrived in Leipzig with an international reputation and the expectation that he could add pace, direct dribbling and attacking depth. Instead, limited opportunities, injuries and disciplinary issues have left him on the fringes of the squad. His future is now one to watch as the January window approaches—and a potential transfer prediction will depend heavily on whether a club is willing to offer him a clear route back to regular football.
From summer signing to squad outsider
Leipzig signed Bakayoko from PSV in the summer of 2025 for a reported €18 million. He agreed to a contract running until mid-2030, a commitment that suggested the club viewed him as a player with room to grow and a potentially important role in its attack. The reported €12 million asking price would represent a notable reduction from that initial fee, though the final figure could depend on the structure of a deal and the level of interest.
His first campaign in Germany did not provide an ideal foundation. Injuries disrupted his progress, limiting him to 22 appearances and three goals. Those numbers do not tell the whole story: adapting to a new league and tactical system can take time, particularly for a wide forward expected to contribute both in possession and without the ball. Still, his lack of sustained availability made it difficult to build momentum or establish himself as a regular starter.
This season has brought even fewer chances. Bakayoko has played just 144 minutes, a small return for a player who joined with experience at PSV and 18 senior caps for Belgium. He has also slipped to fourth in Leipzig’s attacking pecking order, behind Brajan Gruda, Tidiam Gomis and Andrija Maksimovic. The emergence and selection of younger alternatives has made the competition for minutes more difficult.
Disciplinary absence adds to the uncertainty
Selection alone does not explain Bakayoko’s disappearance from matchday squads. Sport BILD reported last week that the winger had been left out after arriving late for a team meeting in early October. Leipzig subsequently suspended him for disciplinary reasons, and he has not been included in a matchday squad since.
That absence is significant because Leipzig’s schedule has remained busy. In a season with domestic and European demands, rotation would normally create opportunities for players outside the first-choice group. Bakayoko’s failure to make even the bench suggests that his situation involves more than a temporary dip in form. A return to the squad may require both improved standing with the coaching staff and a convincing response in training.
For Leipzig, the decision is a balancing act. Keeping Bakayoko could preserve valuable attacking depth and give him time to recover his confidence. But if the club believes he is unlikely to feature regularly, a transfer could free up space in the squad and provide funds for other priorities. A loan, meanwhile, could offer a compromise: Leipzig would retain control of the player while he seeks consistent minutes elsewhere.
Why the reported price may attract attention
Sky Sports Germany’s reported €12 million figure is below Bakayoko’s €18 million transfer fee, while Transfermarkt values him at €20 million. These figures are not directly interchangeable: a market valuation is an estimate, not a guaranteed asking price, and the terms of any deal would depend on factors such as contract length, performance, wages and buyer interest.
Bakayoko is reported to earn between €2 million and €4 million per year at Leipzig. That salary could shape the market for him, especially for clubs with tighter budgets. A loan arrangement might be more accessible if Leipzig agrees to cover part of his wages, while a permanent transfer could appeal to a club confident it can restore his form and later benefit from his resale value.
His profile may still interest teams looking for a left- or right-sided attacker capable of carrying the ball and creating chances in one-on-one situations. His age, international experience and previous production at PSV offer reasons for optimism. However, interested clubs would also need to assess his limited minutes this season and understand the circumstances surrounding his disciplinary suspension.
What could happen next?
A winter move is possible, but it is not yet inevitable. Leipzig have reportedly shown a willingness to sell while remaining open to a loan, giving the club several options. Bakayoko’s own preference will matter too: a permanent transfer could provide a clean break, while a temporary move might allow him to rebuild his reputation before deciding on his longer-term future.
The most practical prediction is that Leipzig will first assess whether Bakayoko can return to the squad and attract credible offers. If his situation remains unchanged, a loan may be the easiest route to regular football, particularly if no club meets the reported valuation. A permanent deal could become more likely if a buyer sees the €12 million price as an opportunity and is prepared to make him a central part of its attacking plans.
For Bakayoko, the priority is straightforward: regain match fitness, earn back the coaching staff’s trust and find a setting where he can play consistently. For Leipzig, the challenge is deciding whether to invest further time in a summer signing or move on while there is still interest in the market. The winter window could therefore prove decisive for both the player’s career trajectory and the club’s squad planning.
