RB Leipzig has confirmed the departure of Malian international Amadou Haidara, who will join Ligue 1 leaders RC Lens on January 1st, 2026. The move marks the end of a significant chapter for the 27-year-old midfielder, who arrived at the Bundesliga club from Salzburg in 2019.
Haidara’s tenure at Leipzig was punctuated by considerable success, including five Champions League qualifications, a run to the semi-finals in the 2019/20 campaign and back-to-back German Cup victories in 2022 and 2023, alongside a Super Cup triumph in 2023. Across 222 competitive appearances, he contributed 15 goals and 13 assists, a testament to his consistent performance.
While the club acknowledges Haidara’s value, the timing of the announcement, during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations where Haidara is representing Mali, has drawn scrutiny. Some analysts suggest the decision to publicly confirm the transfer while he is actively participating in a major international tournament minimizes his current standing and potentially undermines team morale within the Malian squad.
RB Leipzig’s director Marcel Schäfer lauded Haidara’s influence, emphasizing his “game intelligence and tackling strength” as key contributors to the midfield’s structure. He also highlighted Haidara’s importance as a mentor, particularly for younger, French-speaking players within the squad. However, the move raises questions about Leipzig’s future midfield strategy, especially given Haidara’s established role and the club’s frequent restructuring of playing personnel.
The transfer itself signals a potential shift in RC Lens’ ambition, aiming to solidify their position at the top of French football. Haidara’s arrival provides a significant boost to their squad, but it also prompts speculation about Leipzig’s long-term commitment to nurturing talent versus prioritizing immediate success through recruitment, a recurring theme in the club’s recent history. The departure also exemplifies the increasing fluidity of the European football market, where established players regularly move between leagues, driven by both sporting and financial considerations.
