Bundesliga high-fliers RB Leipzig are eyeing Chelsea and Manchester United academy prospects to strengthen their youthful line-up for next season
According to the Sun, Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke and Manchester City’s Jadon Sancho feature on RB Leipzig’s wishlist for the summer.
The Bundesliga runners-up are looking to prepare their squad for a Champions League introduction unlike any other as they look to effect a similar impact as they have on the domestic circuit in Germany.
RB Leipzig have undoubtedly been the story of this European footballing season. From being founded in 2009, the club have cruised their way up to the top of the Bundesliga in just a span of 8 years.
However, the commercial structure has had many German critics, fans and even clubs protest against the business-minded culture promoted by Leipzig’s way of operation.
That however, hasn’t in anyway impeded their progress on the pitch as their work continues to pay rich dividends with Champions League football coming their way next campaign.
The club have always looked to recruit young and promising prospects across the continent and are looking to continue the trend with their interest in Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke and Manchester City’s Jadon Sancho.
Dominic Solanke has in the past been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal in the past with even Bayern Munich expressing their interest a few times.
But a lack of playing time at Chelsea and with Conte reportedly being promised a massive summer transfer kitty, the prospects of the youngster rising up the ranks at Stamford Bridge look slim.
Solanke has a solitary 3-minute appearance in the Champions League against Maribor to show for with the senior team aside a number of features in the matchday squad.
At the age of 19, he may still have time on his side but that in many cases isn’t reason enough to keep a player from pursuing regular first-team football. And should Leipzig be able to promise that, there is no reason why Solanke wouldn’t take the punt.
Jadon Sancho is another of the highly rated prospects at Manchester City’s academy and was the one to score the winner to send England Under-17s into the European Champion final on Tuesday.
Etihad chiefs have offered him a lucrative new deal until 2020 after Pep Guardiola’s decision to promote the 17-year-old him to first-team training on several occasions this campaign.
Pep Guardiola has a reputation of providing the launch pad for youngsters and he has done exactly that for players like John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane since his arrival at City. Hence, having received special attention from the boss, it may only be a matter of time before Sancho is out fighting for a place in the first team.
Therefore unlike Solanke, Sancho may be a tough nut to bring on-board for Leipzig, nevertheless the quality of both the players is unquestionable.
The German side managed by Ralph Hasenhüttl haven’t put a foot wrong in their progress to the top and their interest in Solanke and Sancho is in keeping with their policy of recruiting and providing a platform for young players.
