Barcelona face losing Fisnik Asllani as RB Leipzig transfer nears completion

RB Leipzig are close to completing the signing of Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, dealing a fresh blow to Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, who had also shown interest in the Kosovo international.

The 23-year-old is understood to be in the final stages of a move which could become one of the Bundesliga’s biggest deals of the summer transfer window.

Hoffenheim have confirmed that Asllani will not join their pre-season training camp in Seefeld, Austria. His absence has increased speculation that his departure could be finalised within the next few days.

According to German newspaper Bild, the transfer to RB Leipzig could be completed while Hoffenheim are at the camp. The remaining issue is understood to be an agreement between Leipzig and Asllani’s representatives over the player’s salary.

Asllani was also left out of Hoffenheim’s most recent friendly matches before the new season, with negotiations over his possible transfer continuing. His performances have attracted interest from several major clubs, including Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, but RB Leipzig now appear to be in the strongest position to secure his signature.

The deal has not yet been formally announced because RB Leipzig have still not activated the €30m release clause in Asllani’s contract. That hesitation is not solely linked to the size of the fee, with the club also considering how the move would affect the balance of their squad.

RB Leipzig already have several players who can operate in the position occupied by Asllani. Their current options include 24-year-old Romulo, 21-year-old Konrad Harder and 17-year-old emerging talent Samba Konate.

The club are therefore not expected to proceed definitively with the transfer until the possible departure of one of those players becomes imminent. Such a move would create space for Asllani within the squad.

Hoffenheim strengthen before possible exit

Asllani’s departure would represent a significant loss for Hoffenheim on the pitch, but the club are not expected to be seriously disrupted by the move. They have already added several important players during the current transfer window as they prepare for the new campaign.

Hoffenheim have signed 17-year-old Belgian defender Nathan De Cat and 25-year-old Austrian forward Patrick Wimmer. Those additions mean the club are close to completing their squad with about four weeks remaining before the summer transfer window closes.

For now, Asllani’s future remains dependent on the final salary details and RB Leipzig’s decisions regarding their existing attacking options. However, his omission from Hoffenheim’s training camp and recent friendlies suggests the transfer is moving towards a conclusion, with Leipzig ahead of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in the race for the striker.