Overview
- Negotiations between RC Lens and RB Leipzig moved quickly last week but, citing reports on Saturday, have slowed because the clubs cannot agree how to split Bitshiabu’s salary.
- Leipzig is offering a straight loan without a purchase option and Lens is reluctant to pay a large share of wages for a player it would not own long term.
- El Chadaille Bitshiabu has reportedly agreed to the move and has spoken with Lens coach Dino Toppmöller, making the wage issue the main remaining obstacle.
- Because the French window closes September 1 at 20:00 local time, Lens is already exploring alternative left‑sided central defenders in case the loan cannot be salvaged.
- Bitshiabu was signed by Leipzig from Paris Saint‑Germain in summer 2023 for €15 million and has had limited game time and injury setbacks, which Lens hopes a loan to France would address.