As Florian Plettenberg reports, RBLeipzig are looking for two right-backs in the hope of replacing the injured Benjamin Henrichs this winter.
Henrichs ruptured his Achilles tendon and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Having already shown defensive weaknesses at times this season, it is when Marco Rose discovers the ideal replacement.
First on Leipzig’s shortlist is VfL Wolfsburg’s Ridle Baku. The 26-year-old full-back will be a free agent this summer and will not be able to contact clubs this month.
Should Leipzig go for Baku, it’s likely that Wolfsburg will be tempted to accept a slightly lower fee in order to cash in should Baku not want to sign an extension.
According to TransferMarkt, Baku is currently valued at €7 million.
The second player shortlisted is RB Salzburg’s Amar Dedić. The 22-year-old Bosnian international would be the most expensive of the two currently valued at €15m and contracted until 2027.
Dedić has featured in 12 of Austria’s 16 Bundesliga games in this crusade, while Salzburg have struggled to keep up speed against SK Sturm Graz and Austria Wien.
Of the two, Baku obviously has more experience in the Bundesliga and would be the cheaper option. However, Dedić may simply be a signing with more longevity and also fits into the Red Bull group’s current model.
GGFN | Jaime Allen
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