Schröder: RB Leipzig’s squad planning depends on Champions League qualification

Henrichs & Haidara should extend

Sports director Rouven Schröder generally assumes that transfer activity at RB Leipzig will be manageable next summer. Re-qualification for the premier class plays a big role in the “Red Bulls’” planning – if this doesn’t happen, there will be a risk of major adjustments.

“Basically we feel comfortable with the squad and have long-term contracts. We had a huge upheaval last summer. What is crucial is that we qualify for the Champions League. A lot depends on that,” said Schröder in a “Sky” interview. In 2023, the “Red Bulls” earned 241 million euros from player sales, compared to expenses of 153 million euros for new signings such as attackers Loïs Openda (24) and Benjamin Sesko (20).

The 48-year-old Schröder explained: “Ambitious players would then like to stay with us and possibly extend their contract. We want to get new players, these guys also want to play in the Champions League. We feel well positioned, but we have to be wide awake. It will be very exciting again in the summer.” The squad includes eight professionals who are contractually bound until 2028, and four more have a current contract until 2027.

Schröder also knows that this does not necessarily mean that top performers will stay for the long term, especially since the people of Leipzig have to generate their own income again in order to move forward. “We want to remain attractive,” said Schröder. “Selling is also part of it because we often get players who want to move on to the next stage after two, three or four years. You can see that in the departures last year, what great clubs were interested. This is the final stage. It is absolutely clear to us that we want to generate transfer proceeds in order to invest again.”

RB Leipzig is working on a sequel with loan player Xavi Simons

RB is currently in fifth place with the third most valuable team in the league – with a squad value of 484 million euros – one point behind Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League places. Since 2019/20, the Saxons have always been able to qualify for the premier class – four years ago they even made it to the semi-finals, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking of Paris: It is no secret that Leipzig would like to keep PSG loan player Xavi Simons (20) in 2024/25.

“Of course we would like Xavi to play with us for another season! He is feeling well. You can see how he blossoms and performs in this environment. “Xavi is a player who communicates to the outside world, has an impact and makes RB Leipzig more attractive,” said Schröder. But we don’t hold the lever in our hands. There is the player and Paris. We’ll have to wait and see. It will be important that we finish the season in the best possible way. Then we can try to attack again. But we are not in control of the situation. Nothing should be ruled out in football. If Xavi wants and Paris allows it, then the door is completely open.”

Benjamin Henrichs (27) and Amadou Haidara (26), who are only bound until 2025, should continue to wear the Leipzig jersey in the future. “We have positioned ourselves clearly and would like to extend the contract with both players. We are in very confidential discussions. It’s the turn of the parties: advisor, player and club side. “Nothing can really surprise us,” stated Schröder.

To home page