RB Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco has addressed Konrad Laimer leaving the Bundesliga club, amid transfer interest by Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur, via Sport1.
Discussions are currently underway between the Saxony side and Bayern Munich over the 24-year-old moving to Bavaria. FCB coach Julian Nagelsmann is keen to take Laimer to the Allianz Arena this summer, but is only prepared to pay €23m (£19.5m) plus future add-ons.
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Die Roten Bullen, on the other hand, are demanding up to €30m (£25m) for Laimer, Sport1 previously reported. Bayern Munich feel the fee is more than the 24-cap Austria technician is now worth, having entered into the last 12 months of his contract at the Red Bull Arena.
Arsenal and Tottenham keen on Laimer amid Bayern Munich interest
Interest from Arsenal and Tottenham is also allowing RB Leipzig to demand a high price tag for Laimer’s transfer. 90min have cited the Premier League rivals as possible suitors for the former RB Salzburg star. The north London natives also explored his suitability for a switch.
Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte have considered challenging Nagelsmann for RB Leipzig’s €6m (£5m) signing from RB Salzburg in 2017. He offered five goals and six assists from 43 appearances across all competitions last season to take his RB Leipzig tallies to 11 and 18.
Tedesco admits Laimer would ‘like to have clarity’ on RB Leipzig future
Bayern Munich may get a close-up look at what Laimer can provide under Nagelsmann this Saturday when they face RB Leipzig. They will meet in the DFB-Supercup as the respective reigning Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal winners in the traditional season curtain-raising fixture.
Tedesco is prepared to play Laimer in the showpiece affair, despite the interest clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Tottenham are showing. The RB Leipzig boss is clear of doubt that the midfielder can fulfil any responsibilities, having trained without an issue this week.
“I have no concerns,” Tedesco declared. “[Laimer was] fully focused, training very well and intensively. He’s an athlete and a strong character.”
But while Tedesco would have no issue utilising Laimer against Bayern Munich in the DFB-Supercup on Saturday, the RB Leipzig boss admits his star wants his future resolved soon.
“The longer it drags on, the harder it will be to do it at some point. So, time speaks for us,” Tedesco adds with no deadline set. “[But Laimer] would like to have clarity at some point.”
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