RB Leipzig enter the new Bundesliga season in a state of transition, shaped above all by the record sale of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid. The 19-year-old winger, who scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances last season, departed for a base fee of €125 million, with bonuses potentially pushing the figure to €140 million. It is the biggest sale in the club's history and one of the most expensive transfers in Bundesliga history, yet the windfall has brought as many problems as it has solutions.

Finding a replacement has proven difficult. Leipzig's top attacking target, Fisnik Asllani from Hoffenheim, failed his medical and the €25 million deal collapsed at the final stage, as reported by GOAL. A late move for VfB Stuttgart-bound Dzenan Pejcinovic also came to nothing, according to GOAL's coverage. The club is now in talks over Diego Moreira from Racing Strasbourg, though a fee disagreement means a quick resolution looks unlikely, GOAL reports. Defender Lutsharel Geertruida, signed two years ago for €20 million, is heading for another loan exit after failing to establish himself under two different managers, as GOAL details.

On the pitch, Leipzig lost 2-0 to Leeds United in their most recent friendly, a result that will do little to build confidence ahead of the season. Their final pre-season test comes today against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, a fixture tied to the 2021 Julian Nagelsmann compensation agreement, GOAL explains. The Bundesliga campaign begins on 22 August with a DFB-Pokal first-round trip to Eintracht Trier. Leipzig start the season with genuine financial firepower but a squad that still needs significant reinforcement up front.