Overview
- Johan Bakayoko said a one-to-one talk with Jürgen Klopp, Red Bull's head of global football, was the decisive factor in joining RB Leipzig.
- The 22-year-old completed a July switch from PSV for a reported €22 million after interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest.
- Bakayoko recounted Klopp's message that Leipzig would make him better and needed him, describing the discussion as focused on football and fit.
- He said teammate Xavi Simons is staying professional despite reports linking the forward with an €80m move to Chelsea.
- Leipzig open the Bundesliga away to reigning champions Bayern Munich on Friday, with Bakayoko in contention after preseason integration.