RB Leipzig Targets Late Window Signings with Guiu and El Aynaoui Moves
RB Leipzig is making significant strides in the transfer market as the window draws to a close, with intentions to secure Chelsea striker Marc Guiu and Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. Reports from Get German Football News indicate that Leipzig is about to finalize Guiu’s permanent transfer from Chelsea, with the total negotiated fee estimated at around €17 million, which includes performance-related bonuses.
Meanwhile, El Aynaoui is expected to join Leipzig on an initial season-long loan that includes a purchase option set at approximately €25 million. This potential double signing highlights Leipzig’s growing transfer activity, especially following Nkunku’s return. According to Get German Football News, new head coach Martin Demichelis is eager to enhance the squad, especially after the transfer of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for €125 million.
While Leipzig is focused on acquiring new talent, they also face challenges in managing outgoing players. Conrad Harder is on the verge of leaving, while the futures of Arthur Vermeeren, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, and Lukas Klostermann remain uncertain.
Guiu Set to Join as Harder Moves to Strasbourg
The anticipated arrival of Guiu comes as Harder prepares for a loan spell at Racing Strasbourg, where he will spend the entirety of the 2026/27 season. The deal reportedly excludes a purchase option, with Strasbourg covering Harder’s full salary during his stay before his return to Leipzig in the following summer.
Despite not securing a regular starting position since his arrival, the Danish striker contributed eight goals over 1,081 competitive minutes in Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal play. Harder’s consideration for a loan appears to stem from his desire for more game time, amid reported interest from clubs such as Leeds United, Sevilla, Galatasaray, and Lazio.
El Aynaoui Loan Deal Underway with €25m Purchase Option
El Aynaoui represents another strategic addition for Demichelis, who aims to refine the squad’s structure around a high-intensity 4-3-3 formation. Leipzig started off the new season positively by securing a 3-0 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Demichelis’s inaugural Bundesliga home match, which he described as an “unforgettable day” while thanking the Leipzig supporters for their warm welcome.
However, El Aynaoui’s transfer still hinges on sporting executive Marcel Schäfer resolving current squad limitations.
Uncertain Futures for Vermeeren, Bitshiabu, and Klostermann
Leipzig continues to face challenges in finding suitable destinations for players like Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, which is critical to El Aynaoui’s transfer proceedings. According to Kicker, Schäfer must first create space in the squad before finalizing the Moroccan international’s move from Roma.
The situation with El Chadaille Bitshiabu remains unresolved as Leipzig is working on a loan agreement with RC Lens for the French centre-back, although discussions regarding the terms of the deal have yet to yield a conclusion. Additionally, veteran defender Lukas Klostermann is also among those who may be moved on as Leipzig navigates the complex roster requirements in this transfer window.
RB Leipzig are pushing to complete two significant late-window additions, with Chelsea striker Marc Guiu and Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui both reportedly on course for moves to Saxony. As Get German Football News reported late last week, Leipzig are set to sign Spanish U21 international Guiu permanently from Chelsea. Kicker reports that the final negotiated transfer fee totals around €17m including realistic performance-related bonuses.
El Aynaoui, meanwhile, is expected to arrive from Roma on an initial season-long loan containing a purchase option worth around €25m. The prospective double deal represents another substantial acceleration in Leipzig’s transfer activity following the recent return of Christopher Nkunku. Get German Football News noted in our 2026/27 RB Leipzig tactical preview that new head coach Martin Demichelis still required additional attacking personnel despite Nkunku’s arrival, particularly after Yan Diomande’s €125m move to Real Madrid.
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Leipzig nevertheless still have significant outgoing business to complete before the window closes, with Conrad Harder poised to leave and the futures of Arthur Vermeeren, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Lukas Klostermann all unresolved.
Guiu arrives as Harder heads for Strasbourg
Guiu effectively takes the squad place vacated by Harder, who is poised to join Racing Strasbourg on loan. The Danish striker will spend the entire 2026/27 campaign with the Ligue 1 side, with no purchase option included in the agreement. Strasbourg will reportedly cover Harder’s full salary before the 21-year-old returns to Leipzig next summer.
Harder never secured an undisputed starting role after arriving in Saxony. The once-capped Danish international nevertheless registered eight goal contributions across 1,081 competitive minutes in Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal action. Regular playing time is understood to have played a decisive role in his decision to move to France despite reported interest from Leeds United, Sevilla, Galatasaray and Lazio.
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A medical and the remaining formalities must still be completed before the loan becomes official.
Leipzig agree El Aynaoui loan with €25m option
The midfielder represents another potentially significant addition for Demichelis as the Argentine continues shaping a squad around his preferred high-intensity 4-3-3 system. Demichelis has already enjoyed an encouraging competitive start. Leipzig defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 on Saturday in the new trainer’s first Bundesliga home match, after which the former Bayern defender described the occasion as an “unforgettable day” and thanked the Leipzig supporters for their reception.
El Aynaoui’s arrival, however, still appears contingent upon sporting executive Marcel Schäfer creating room within an already extensive squad.
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Vermeeren, Bitshiabu and Klostermann exits remain unresolved
Leipzig have thus far been unable to find a satisfactory destination for Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren. That situation is particularly relevant to the El Aynaoui deal. Kicker reports that Schäfer must first create the necessary squad space before Leipzig can formally complete the Moroccan international’s move from Roma.
The situation surrounding El Chadaille Bitshiabu is similarly unresolved. Leipzig have been negotiating a loan move to RC Lens for the French centre-back, but the two clubs have yet to reach an agreement concerning the conditions of the deal. Veteran defender Lukas Klostermann is another player Leipzig would reportedly be prepared to move on.
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