RB Leipzig are racing to fix a significant gap in their attack before the new season begins, with new head coach Martín Demichelis pushing hard for reinforcements after a chaotic few weeks in the transfer market. The club's primary summer target, Fisnik Asllani from Hoffenheim, fell through at the last moment when the 24-year-old failed his medical, leaving Leipzig scrambling for alternatives.

The most prominent name now is Said El Mala, the 19-year-old Köln winger who also attracted Borussia Dortmund before that move collapsed. Leipzig are reportedly prepared to break their internal transfer ceiling of 50 million euros, with a package worth up to 60 million euros being discussed. That willingness to exceed their own financial limits reflects the urgency created by Yan Diomande's departure to Real Madrid for a reported 125 million euros. Köln's sporting director has suggested El Mala will stay, though no deadline for a sale exists and Leipzig are said to be pushing for a swift resolution.

Alongside El Mala, a return for Christopher Nkunku is attracting attention. The Frenchman, who scored 70 goals in 172 appearances during his first spell at the club and won the Bundesliga top scorer award in 2023, has been frozen out at AC Milan by coach Ruben Amorim. Initial talks are said to be underway, with both a loan and a permanent deal considered possible.

On the pitch, Leipzig lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Telekom Cup friendly on August 15, a result that carries limited weight given the pre-season context. The competitive action begins on August 22, when they travel to Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.