RB Leipzig reportedly want to sell Ilaix Moriba this summer on a permanent deal, with the German club fed up with the midfielder’s attitude and lack of commitment.
According to Bild, the former FC Barcelona academy star has caused tensions with the Bundesliga side for his immaturity, with Leipzig already deeming the teenager as surplus to requirements.
With the report stating that Leipzig ‘massively regret’ signing Moriba, it appears that Tottenham have missed out on a nuisance of a talent, with Spurs reportedly desperate on signing the Guinea international in 2021 when it became obvious that the 19-year-old was set to leave Barcelona.
As we know, though, it was Leipzig that won the race for Moriba, with Bild claiming that the east German side could pay as much as €22m (£18m) for the midfielder if certain clauses were hit during the coming years.
However, with Leipzig shipping Moriba out on loan to Valencia in the January window, it is likely that Barcelona will never receive the full fee for their former midfield talent, with the Bundesliga club eager to offload the teenager on a permanent deal this summer.
Indeed, where Moriba goes from here is anyone’s guess, with a return to La Liga with Valencia the most likely outcome. Yet after this explosive report, it is a great thing Tottenham missed out on signing the teenager when they had the chance.
Leipzig nightmare shows Tottenham dodged a bullet with Moriba
There’s every chance that Tottenham would have been harsher with Moriba’s behaviour if Antonio Conte was the man coaching the former Barcelona star, yet this latest update from Germany shows that the north London side made a smart decision not signing the youngster.
Whilst Moriba remains a talented midfielder and a player with immense potential, there’s no denying that this episode could make it hard for the teenager to settle anywhere permanently unless he is willing to change his attitude and way of training.
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