RB Leipzig's mega summer - "Profited from the Premier League"

There has never been a summer of transfers like this at RB Leipzig. "We've really achieved a lot. We were able to work through an incredible amount. The aim was to rejuvenate the squad. We are totally convinced that we are on the right track and have signed players who embody the RB DNA," said Marcel Schäfer one day after the deadline day.

Quarter of a billion euros raised

In total, the Saxon Bundesliga club raised a quarter of a billion euros. Expenditure amounted to 125 million euros. In addition to the top departures with Benjamin Sesko (80 million) and Xavi Simons (60 million), Loïs Openda (Juventus Turin), Eljif Elmas (SSC Napoli) and Lutsharel Geertruida (AFC Sunderland) were also sold shortly before the transfer deadline. There were also twelve changes to the staff plus four new coaches.

And then Schäfer, who had already transferred Arthur Vermeeren (Olympique Marseille), was able to sign an absolute dream striker in the Dane Conrad Harder (Sporting Lisbon). The 20-year-old Dane moved to Leipzig as a Portuguese champion and cup winner and signed a five-year contract until June 30, 2030. "It was a very tough deal," said Schäfer with a grin and praised the Danish international: "He is a very physical striker with a very high intensity. He doesn't hesitate for a second to finish."

Benefiting from the Premier League

Unlike many of his Bundesliga colleagues, Schäfer, who cut his salary budget by 30 per cent, is not so critical of the Premier League's purchasing power. "We have benefited from it. It has an unbelievable amount of financial power, and you notice that in negotiations as soon as the Premier League starts competing with us. You notice that when it comes to players. When people choose us, it's all about the sporting prospects, training and development. Everything else that is contractually regulated, we are left out," said Schäfer.

Schäfer then had special praise for his head coach Ole Werner. "I've never experienced such a relaxed coach, maybe that's where the North Germans came out a bit. I didn't get any text messages or phone calls. I've never had a coach let us work so calmly on deadline day."