RB Leipzig will demand around £18 million for Julian Nagelsmann with the coveted tactician a target for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, as reported by Sport1.
In an era where the most talented footballers tend to move for sums equivalent to the wealth of a small nation, it makes sense that the very best managers would also command a substantial transfer fee.
Nagelsmann is certainly knocking on the door of the elite – if he is not there already.
According to the Telegraph, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has identified the much-admired German as a replacement for the under-fire Jose Mourinho in North London.
Nagelsmann won’t come cheap, however. Sport1 claims that Leipzig will demand a fee in the region of £18 million for one of the sharpest coaching minds in the European game.
Bayern Munich have also identified the former Hoffenheim boss as the successor to Hansi Flick, who continues to be linked with the German national team job amid ongoing divisions between the manager and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Sport1 insists, however, that there has been no contact from the Bundesliga leaders just yet.
“Julian is even better than Pep Guardiola when it comes to reading the opponents’ style of play and adjusting the tactics accordingly during a game,” Hoffenheim’s former head of international relations and scouting Lutz Pfannenstiel told Goal.
“Pep is someone who analyses a lot and then makes a decision. With Julian, the analysis runs parallel to the observation. We’re talking about a very small window of time, but it can be crucial.
“Incidentally, this is not a talent, but a gift. I’ve met a lot of coaches, but Julian has this quality exclusively. It is unique.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
