On loan to Istanbul: Bitshiabu leaves RB Leipzig

El-Chadaille Bitshiabu has arrived in Istanbul and will be loaned to Galatasaray by Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. The club of national team player Leroy Sané announced that it is entering into contract negotiations with the French player. The 21-year-old was already photographed at the airport wearing a Galatasaray scarf. In Turkey, the transfer window remains open until September 4.

“We had a long and arduous journey, but now we’ve arrived in Istanbul. I’m so happy to be here. I’m going to meet my fans and my family. I’m really looking forward to the moment when I’ll see them,” said Bitshiabu. Several other loan deals had fallen through previously.

Loan with an option to buy

Bitshiabu is considered highly talented. The center back was signed from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for 15 million euros. The burly left-footed player was never able to establish himself on a consistent basis. In the summer, the club also signed two additional center backs: Maxime Estève and Abdoul Koné.

According to Sky, the loan includes a purchase option. Leipzig will therefore receive 2 million euros for the one-year loan, after which the transfer can be made permanent for approximately 25 million euros.