RB Leipzig have officially announced the signing of Mohamed Simakan on a five-year contract from Ligue 1 club, RC Strasbourg Alsace, with the deal set to go through once the summer transfer window opens. Simakan has signed a five-year contract with the overall fee included with bonuses is reportedly close to €17 million.
The 20-year-old is the natural replacement of Dayot Upamecano, who is set to join Bayern Munich in summer for €42 million. Chelsea and AC Milan had reportedly shown interest in the young defender, but RB Leipzig managed to pip these super clubs and clinch the signing way before the transfer window.
Leiрzig sроrting direсtоr Mаrkus Krоesсhe sаid in а stаtement “Mоhаmed Simаkаn is а rоbust defender whо саn рlаy bоth сentre-hаlf аnd full-bасk. Аt the аge оf 20, he is still сараble оf develорment, but hаs аlreаdy рlаyed twо seаsоns in Strаsbоurg аs а regulаr .We аre hаррy thаt he hаs сhоsen us desрite numerоus оther interested раrties.”
Simakan who is out of action since January due to a knee injury. He has played in 19 Ligue 1 games for Strasbourg this season. RB Leipzig has done well in terms of developing young players over the last few seasons, so this move could turn out to be ideal for Simakan to take the next step in his development.
This transfer once again shows Leipzig’s efficient way of replacing star players. The sustainable model of scouting young talent and then selling them for big fees helps them to grow as a club in Europe and Germany. They managed to recoup big fee for Timo Werner last season when he joined Chelsea for £47 million.
Leipzig were knocked out by Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League after the lost 4-0 on aggregate. They still have a chance to win silverware as they are in the Bundesliga title race, maintaining an unbeaten run of 13 games in the league since January. Julian Nagelsmann’s men are currently second in the Bundesliga table four points behind Bayern Munich. Both teams are going to face each other on 3 April. Leipzig who are looking to close the gap have a great opportunity against a very resolute Bayern team lead by Hansi Flick.