Chelsea and Liverpool dealt MAJOR blow as Bundesliga giants step up wonderkid pursuit

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Oct 2023 15:24 BST
4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool — © ProShots

RB Leipzig are stepping up their pursuit of sought-after youngster Assan Ouedraogo, according to a report.

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The 17-year-old Schalke star has rapidly emerged as one of Europe's most wanted in recent weeks. A relative unknown prior to this season, the young midfielder was thrust into the starting lineup of the relegated German giants for the opening game of the 2. Bundesliga season - and he immediately repaid the faith with a goal.

An all-action midfielder, Ouedraogo has since become a regular in a Schalke side desperately struggling to turn a corner, a side currently more worried about dropping down to the third division than thinking of immediately bouncing back to the top flight. Precisely because of Schalke's struggles, the teenager is quickly outgrowing his boyhood club even if remaining in a lower division would perhaps be advisable for someone so young.

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Initially linked with Brighton, bigger fish have since come calling, with Bayern, Leipzig, Liverpool and Chelsea all credited with an interest in Ouedraogo, who was recognised as the third-best German talent in his age group earlier in the year. Out of these clubs, it appears that Leipzig are trying to steal a march on the rest of the competition.

Leipzig step up pursuit

That's according to TEAMtalk, which claims that Leipzig have initiated contact with Ouedraogo's agent - his father - to understand the conditions of a potential deal. However, it must be said that this isn't the first time Leipzig have attempted to woo the elder Ouedraogo.

When the controversial Bundesliga side faced Man City earlier in the year, the wonderkid's father and younger brother were guests of honour at the Red Bull Arena, with sporting director Rouven Schroder pictured talking with the Ouedraogos - and they certainly weren't discussing the weather!

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German media previously reported that Ouedraogo's contract will become professional once he turns 18 in May and that it will include a €20 million release clause, but the above-mentioned outlet states that the youngster could be had - presumably in January - for just £15m (€17m).

It is expected that Schalke could conceivably demand double or triple that fee further down the line, but they may be forced to accept this quoted fee through gritted teeth in the winter given their struggles and economic difficulties.