‘Difficult to keep’: Manager gives Arsenal and Spurs new hope of signing £17m rumoured target

Follow us on Google Discover

Jesse Marsch admits it will be difficult for RB Leipzig to keep Marcel Sabitzer at the club if the rumoured Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur target wants to leave, via Calciomercato.

Sabitzer is in the final year of his contract with the Bundesliga outfit and become a target for several clubs. AC Milan made a formal approach for the Austrian earlier in the window, yet now face competition from Bayern Munich.

Arsenal and Tottenham have also explored Sabitzer’s situation at Leipzig this summer, per Bild and Fabrizio Romano. But interested sides face an €18-20m (£15.5-17m) asking price before add-ons, which Sky Germany claim currently prices Bayern Munich out of a deal.

Marsch understands Bayern Munich’s interest may have turned Sabitzer’s head away from Leipzig. Goal also report the 27-year-old has informed the Red Bull Arena outfit that he will not sign a new contract. Leaving Die Roten Bullen facing the prospect of him going for free.

“In recent years, Sabitzer has become an important figure for the club,” Marsch said. “But it is difficult to keep a player if he doesn’t want to stay. I understand. You think about it when a club like Bayern is interested, and this is just one of many clubs [interested].

“We have had good conversations. We are both quite mature and we realize that the situation can change or remain the same.”

Arsenal or Tottenham to seize on uncertain Sabitzer future at Leipzig?

Arsenal, Tottenham and their rival suitors will surely take note of Marsch’s update on Sabitzer’s Leipzig future. The Roten Bullen boss admitting it will be hard to keep the midfielder in Saxony will have offered the circling vultures hope of striking a good deal.

But Bayern Munich will take the most encouragement given his comments on their pursuit. Which is unlikely to see Julian Nagelsmann reunite with his former playmaker unless Leipzig accept reduced terms.

And with the clock ticking down toward the August 31 deadline, conversations will have to take place over lowering their asking price to avoid him leaving for free. Although Leipzig will be loath to see Sabitzer leave at all, with their captain instrumental to the side.