RB Leipzig are reshaping their squad at pace this summer, but the window has brought as much frustration as financial reward. The club's biggest story is the sale of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for a base fee of €125 million, rising to potentially €140 million with bonuses. The 19-year-old winger scored 13 goals and added 10 assists in 36 appearances during his debut Bundesliga season, earning interest from Liverpool, PSG and Manchester City before Leipzig held firm and secured a record-breaking deal with the Spanish giants. It is the club's most expensive sale ever and equals the third-highest transfer fee in Bundesliga history.

The money, though, has not translated smoothly into reinforcements. Leipzig had agreed a €25 million deal to sign Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, their top target for the centre-forward role, only for the transfer to collapse at the final stage when medical checks raised concerns. The club then made a late move for Wolfsburg's Dzenan Pejcinovic, but that pursuit also came to nothing after Stuttgart stepped in to complete a €25 million deal for the 21-year-old.

New head coach Martin Demichelis, who replaced the sacked Ole Werner this summer, now faces the prospect of beginning the Bundesliga season without the attacking reinforcements Leipzig had planned. Reports also link Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa with a €60 million move to AS Roma, which would represent a second major departure from the flanks. Leipzig lost 2-0 to Leeds United in their most recent friendly and face Bayern Munich next on August 15, a test that will give Demichelis little margin for error as pre-season preparations continue under pressure.