RB Leipzig head into the new season facing a significant rebuild, with their transfer window defined by a record sale, a failed signing, and an ambitious pursuit that could reshape their attack. The departure of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for a reported €125 million left a clear void, and Leipzig's attempts to fill it have been turbulent. A deal for Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani collapsed at the final hurdle after medical concerns emerged, while a late move for VfB Stuttgart-bound Dzenan Pejcinovic also came to nothing.

Now Leipzig are targeting Said El Mala of 1. FC Köln, with Sport Bild reporting a planned offer worth up to €60 million. The player is said to be open to the move, though Köln's sporting director Thomas Kessler publicly insisted over the weekend that El Mala would likely stay. The club's board must still approve the offer, with a decision expected this week. Diego Moreira of Racing Strasbourg remains a secondary target, though a fee of around €70 million and no existing club contact make that pursuit complicated.

On the pitch, Leipzig lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Telekom Cup on August 15, a pre-season friendly tied to Julian Nagelsmann's 2021 move to Bayern. Brajan Gruda equalised briefly in the second half, but the result offered little confidence ahead of the competitive season. Defender Lutsharel Geertruida, signed for €20 million two years ago, looks set to leave on loan after failing to establish himself under two different managers.

Leipzig open their DFB-Pokal campaign on August 22 at Eintracht Trier, with the Bundesliga yet to begin. Getting their transfer business right before the window closes in early September looks decisive.