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Analysis
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Sesko, Xavi, Lukeba: Leipzig faces exodus after DISASTROUS season
Tom Weber
- 17 May 2025 21:00 BST
- 5 min read
News
RB Leipzig have missed out on European football for the first time since their promotion to the Bundesliga, and it could have disastrous consequences for the club.
The controversial Bundesliga side are generally regarded as the 'most hated club in Germany' due to their circumvention of the 50+1 rule, which stipulates that club members must retain a voting majority.
Leipzig, backed by energy drinks behemoth Red Bull, have consistently challenged for a space in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga since reaching the division in 2016/17.
However, the 2024/25 season was a historic one - for all the wrong reasons. The final matchday of the Bundesliga campaign on Saturday confirmed that Leipzig, who have become a common sight in the Champions League, will not be playing any European football in 2025/26.
In the wake of this unprecedented failure, Leipzig are bracing themselves for a summer exodus of epic proportions.
Sesko, Xavi and Lukeba to jump ship
Due to Red Bull's wealth, Leipzig have been able to establish themselves as one of Europe's most successful clubs in the transfer market. However, one of their main selling points was always Champions League football, which they have now lost.
This means that seemingly overnight Leipzig have become unattractive to potential new players and even their current ones. Xavi Simons, for example, has told the club that he wants to leave due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The Red Bulls spent €50 million (plus a potential €30m in bonuses) to make his loan from PSG permanent in January, so they are now demanding a fee in the region of €80m to sell him.
Whether they will receive such a hefty sum of money is doubtful. The Dutchman is brilliant on his day, but he has not performed like an €80m player this season.
Similarly, Benjamin Sesko is expected to jump ship this summer after deciding to stay on board last year. As with Simons, Leipzig may have to settle for a lower fee than initially thought.
Sesko has a variable release clause, which has risen to over €80m over the course of the season. This has seen his suitors, chiefly Arsenal, develop reservations and instead focus on the much more prolific and experienced Viktor Gyokeres.
Centre-back Castello Lukeba has reportedly handed in a transfer request as well. He recently had his release clause bumped up to €90m, but Leipzig accept that this is a fanciful price.
Indeed, the Saxon side acknowledge that they will have to make potentially painful sales this summer to make up for the UEFA revenue they are set to miss out on.
According to Sky Germany, Leipzig have transfer-listed as many as 11 players this summer, including Lutsharel Geertruida - who only joined last year- star midfielder Amadou Haidara and several club legends. Chelsea and Tottenham flop Timo Werner has also been told to leave.
It is shaping up to be the biggest summer in Leipzig's not-very-long history, and Premier League clubs will surely be paying close attention to the availability of some of the Red Bulls' biggest stars.
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