Marcel Sabitzer: Who is the RB Leipzig star Tottenham are targeting?

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
• 3 min read

Tottenham Hotspur may be readying a move for RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer in the upcoming January transfer window.

Jose Mourinho’s men have never replaced the creative talent that departed the north London side when Christian Eriksen left almost 12 months ago.

According to reports in Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Austrian midfielder is seen as the ideal candidate to add further firepower to this high-flying Spurs outfit, but who is he?

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Who is Marcel Sabitzer?

Sabitzer, a 26-year-old midfielder, is a versatile character capable of playing in multiple positions. During his time at the Red Bull Arena, he has featured in the holding role, as a No.8 and as an attacking midfielder, as well as playing on either flank on several occasions.

After impressing for Rapid Vienna in his homeland, Leipzig made the move for Sabitzer in the summer of 2014. The German outfit immediately loaned him to their sister club, Red Bull Salzburg, in his native Austria to further his progression.

It was the 2014/15 campaign that really highlighted his potential, with 27 goals and 21 assists coming as he completed a domestic double with Salzburg.

Since then, the Austria international has gone on to establish himself as one of German football’s brightest talents, making over 200 appearances for Leipzig and becoming their captain at the start of the current campaign.

Marcel Sabitzer snapshot:

Where would he fit in at Spurs?

There doesn’t appear to be too many gaps in Mourinho’s squad, especially in the midfield area. But for a player of Sabitzer’s quality, Spurs would always make space.

It is most likely he would take up a position either directly behind Harry Kane, an area where Tanguy Ndombele is usually found, or on the right-hand side instead of Steven Bergwijn.

Sabitzer’s work rate, defensive contribution and pressing ability are some of his key attributes and will certainly make him an attractive prospect to Tottenham’s enigmatic Portuguese manager.

But it’s the Leipzig man’s ability to pair his productivity off the ball with his immense quality on it that makes him stand out from the crowd.

Long-range goals, turning defence into attack in an instant with defence-splitting passes and laying the ball off to perfectly placed team-mates are prominent features of Sabitzer’s game.

If Spurs do manage to secure Sabitzer’s signature, they will undoubtedly be welcoming one of Europe’s most all-round attacking talents to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.