RB Leipzig’s midfield has lost a key component as Amadou Haidara prepares to depart for RC Lens in a move slated for January 2026. The Malian international, currently representing his nation at the Africa Cup of Nations, will join the Ligue 1 leaders in a transfer that marks the end of a significant chapter in his career.
Haidara’s arrival in Leipzig from Salzburg in 2019 significantly bolstered the club’s ambitions, contributing to a period of relative success including five Champions League qualifications, a run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019/20 and two consecutive DFB-Pokal victories in 2022 and 2023, capped by the Supercup triumph in 2023. Across 222 competitive appearances for the club, Haidara registered 15 goals and 13 assists, demonstrating his consistent impact.
While RB Leipzig’s managing director, Marcel Schäfer, has lauded Haidara’s contributions as “very important” and praised his “spielintelligenz” (game intelligence) and tackling prowess, the departure raises questions about the club’s strategic direction. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the Africa Cup of Nations, also draws scrutiny. It’s speculated that the club’s extended contract negotiations with Haidara had broken down, potentially revealing deeper fault lines in the relationship between player and management.
Beyond the on-field performance, Haidara’s role as a mentor for the club’s younger, French-speaking players highlights the broader social dynamics within RB Leipzig. His departure may necessitate a reevaluation of the club’s approach to fostering a supportive and diverse team environment – a crucial element for maintaining a positive dressing room atmosphere amidst increasingly demanding performance expectations.
The transfer also serves as a reminder of the persistent challenge faced by clubs like RB Leipzig in retaining talent, particularly in a globalized football landscape where lucrative opportunities constantly beckon. The move to RC Lens, a club experiencing a resurgence and demonstrating a distinct playing philosophy, could be perceived as a strategic move by Haidara to elevate his profile and pursue new competitive challenges. The transfer fee remains undisclosed, but will be closely examined by analysts to gauge the evolving valuation of Malian talent within the European football market.