RB Leipzig open to winter departure for Johan Bakayoko

Johan Bakayoko faces an uncertain future at RB Leipzig as the club reportedly remains open to his departure during the upcoming winter transfer window. The 23-year-old winger, whose summer 2025 arrival was heavily driven by former Red Bull Global Head of Soccer Jürgen Klopp, has struggled for regular playing time under head coach Martin Demichelis.

Struggling for Minutes on the Wing in Leipzig

Bakayoko has made just three competitive appearances for the Bundesliga side this season, accumulating 144 minutes on the pitch without registering a goal or an assist. His last competitive outing for the club came in early September during a 3-1 defeat against Werder Bremen. Since then, the Belgian winger has alternated between the substitute bench and the stands, failing to break into a competitive attacking rotation.

According to coverage from Bild, Demichelis relies on alternative options on the flanks. Bakayoko currently finds himself behind 22-year-old German U21 international Brajan Gruda, Tidiam Gomis, and 19-year-old Andrija Maksimovic in the pecking order. Consequently, Leipzig officials are reportedly prepared to let the player leave when the transfer window opens, with no plans to stand in the way of a potential move. Because the club can offer him no sporting perspective, Bakayoko is also expected to have an interest in a transfer. The newspaper did not name any potential buyers.

Disciplinary Hurdles and Lost Focus Behind Closed Doors

Beyond his sporting challenges, Bakayoko has encountered disciplinary issues at the club. Demichelis left the winger out of the matchday squad entirely for a 6-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the season due to a minor internal infraction. While the manager did not elaborate on the specifics, Bild reported that the player had arrived late for mandatory team appointments on multiple occasions, noting that the Belgian does not take exact times very seriously—though purely sporting criteria are considered decisive for his omission. This is an unusual situation for the young father Bakayoko, which he is reportedly expected to accept professionally. Following the substitute match training on the past Sunday, Bakayoko completed an additional twenty-minute shooting session under the guidance of the assistant coaches.

Addressing the disciplinary matter publicly, Demichelis offered reassurance regarding the situation. He made a small mistake. But that stays between us. We spoke to each other and he trained as normal on Sunday. I’ve already forgotten what he did. The matter is settled, the Argentinian explained. Despite clearing the air internally, concerns regarding the player’s focus have persisted within the club.

The Heavy Expectations Following a Multi-Million Euro Transfer

RB Leipzig secured Bakayoko’s signature from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of €18 million. The transfer was heavily championed by Klopp, who held a two-hour conversation with the player to convince him to join the Red Bull setup. However, the forward has struggled to replicate the form that prompted his arrival.

In his debut 2025-26 campaign in Saxony, Bakayoko managed only three goals across 22 competitive appearances. Despite his current struggles and lack of integration under Demichelis, the player remains tied to a long-term contract at the Red Bull Arena running until June 2030, leaving his ultimate destination open as the winter window approaches.

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