RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesRB Leipzig nix Willi Orban’s Saudi transfer following Abdoul Koné injury news
Willi Orbán’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Diriyah FC has collapsed after an injury to new RB Leipzig defender Abdoul Koné. This is currently being reported by multiple Sky Germany journalists operating on social media platform X .
Sky Germany reports that Orbán had been scheduled to undergo his medical on Monday after agreeing to a two-year contract with the newly promoted Saudi Pro League club. The deal would reportedly have earned the 33-year-old approximately €13.2m.
Leipzig nevertheless withdrew their approval for the transfer after Koné sustained a shoulder injury during training.
Abdoul Koné sidelined for several weeks
Koné joined Leipzig from Stade Reims this summer and made his unofficial debut in a 2-1 friendly victory over VSG Altglienicke. The 21-year-old was subsequently absent from Saturday’s 1-0 win over FC Ingolstadt.
Kicker reports that Koné will not require surgery, but is expected to miss several weeks. Leipzig do not presently plan to sign another centre-back in response to the setback.
Instead, Orbán will remain with the squad and provide experienced cover during Koné’s recovery.
The Hungarian international is entering the final year of his Leipzig contract. He joined the club from 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2015 and has since made 385 competitive appearances. Only former Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen has featured more often for the Saxon club.
Willi Orban misses out on lucrative opportunity
Orbán had been free to consider a departure amid competition from Lukas Klostermann, Castello Lukeba, Maxime Estève and El Chadaille Bitshiabu. Lukeba nevertheless remains linked with a summer exit, further explaining Leipzig’s reluctance to lose another central defender.
What appeared to be a lucrative late-career move for Orbán has therefore been halted by Leipzig’s immediate defensive needs. Whether Al-Diriyah revive their pursuit once Koné returns remains unclear.
GGFN | Peter Weis
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