Man Utd and Real Madrid target could be key to RB Leipzig challenging Bayern for Bundesliga title

Stefan Bienkowski

2 Jul 2021 15:17 BST
5 min read

Move over, Messi! Andre Silva is Europe’s highest scorer in 2021 — © ProShots

RB Leipzig’s season didn’t end the way it should have and much of that was down to the club failing to replace Timo Werner.

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Despite going toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title, Julian Nagelsmann’s side then lost their Champions League Last 16 tie to a dysfunctional Liverpool team, won just three of their next seven league games and then lost the German Cup final to Borussia Dortmund.

While critics questioned the team’s character and experience as they buckled under the pressure of pushing for glory in three competitions, it was perfectly clear that RB Leipzig simply lacked a goal scorer.

While Bayern had Robert Lewandowski and Dortmund could rely on Erling Haaland, RB Leipzig’s top goalscorer in the Bundesliga was none other than Marcel Sabitzer with just eight goals, followed by Emil Forsberg on seven.

As such, it was abundantly clear where the Bundesliga side would need to strengthen their squad this summer if they are to challenge for the league title after the summer.

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Where Silva can help RB Leipzig next season

As such, it now seems as though the Saxony club are closing in on a deal for Manchester United and Real Madrid transfer target and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva, who local media are reporting will join the club for a fee of around €23 million.

Silva, unlike target men Alexander Sorloth and Yussuf Poulsen or converted No.10s like Emil Forsberg and Dani Olmo, is a genuine, old-fashioned No.9 that knows exactly how to put the ball in the back of the net in the Bundesliga.

© ProShots - Dani Olmo is one of a number of attacking players that didn't perform for RB Leipzig last season

Last season the Portugal international scored more goals than Haaland in the German top flight and, according to Football Critic, was bested by only the Norwegian star and Lewandowski when it came to non-penalty goals scored per 90 minutes.

Considering RB Leipzig conceded 12 fewer goals than Bayern last season in the league but the Bavarians scored almost 40 more goals, it's clear that Silva is set to join a side in desperate need of a proven goal scorer.

Whether the Portuguese star will be the final piece to the club’s puzzle remains to be seen, but he could end up being the most consequential signing of the summer in German football.