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RB Leipzig in the austerity course: How Finkgräfe should pave the way
RB Leipzig hires Max Finkgräfe and plans transfers to control costs. Financial challenges and future prospects.
RB Leipzig in the austerity course: How Finkgräfe should pave the way
On Tuesday, July 3, 2025, RB Leipzig announced its first steps in transfer summer. The association reported the obligation of Max Finkgräfe, a U20 international and left-back, who comes from the promoted 1. FC Köln. Finkgräfe will be tied to RB Leipzig for around four million euros by 2030. This access underlines the course that the club has taken to reduce costs and to ensure financial stability.
In April, RB Leipzig had already signed Ezechiel Banzuzi, a Dutch player. However, the upcoming transfer period is under the influence of a stubborn austerity course. Top-class players such as the Spanish U21 interior defender Cristhian Mosquera, who would have been too expensive at around 20 million euros, are not on the club's agenda. Instead, the sporting management, measured, is looking for the new specifications, for cheaper alternatives such as Nicolas Kühn from Celtic Glasgow.
financial challenges
The financial situation of RB Leipzig requires a drastic reduction in expenses. After the missed qualification for the European Cup competitions, smaller transfers must be made. Ludwig Hierl, an expert in football finances, describes RB Leipzig as captured in a "fixed cost", since the expenses are high and the club has to keep an eye on the liabilities of over 460 million euros, mainly with investor Red Bull. The personnel expenditure in the 2023/24 season was 202 million euros.
to compensate for financial losses, RB Leipzig has introduced measures to reduce salary. A new clause in the contracts states that players receive 30 percent less salary when not qualified for the Champions League. Hierl also warns that the distance to the top teams could temporarily increase, which could affect the club's competitiveness.
transfer goals and strategies
sports director Max Eberl expressed himself optimistically to achieve the financial goals of BB Leipzig. In order to meet the strict requirements of the Financial FairPlay, revenue of at least 100 million euros must be generated during this transfer period. An essential step in this direction will be the upcoming change from Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea FC, which should bring in the club around 65 million euros. In addition, Leipzig, a number of players awarded, including Angeliño and Alexander Sørloth, are planning to finally sell with a cumulative market value of 38 million euros.
The obligations for the coming season seem to be on a solid foundation with Nicolas Seiwald and Benjamin Sesko, who together cost 44 million euros. However, the future success on the transfer market depends heavily on the sporting performance and possible qualifications for the Champions League, which is particularly important for the financial planning and implementation of the transfer strategy.
Overall, the situation for RB Leipzig, which is considered the third strongest force in the Bundesliga, is anything but easy. The challenges are enormous, but the club also wants to use this situation as an opportunity, especially to integrate young talents cost -effective and at the same time stabilize financial health.