RB Leipzig Secure Rômulo as New Striker in Record Deal

RB Leipzig will sign Brazilian striker Rômulo from Göztepe. The deal is worth up to €25 million as Leipzig prepare for the 2025-26 Bundesliga season following the departure of forward Benjamin Šeško who left for Manchester United.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Leipzig will pay Göztepe €20 million with €5 million in potential add-ons in a deal that also includes a clause giving the Turkish side a percentage of any future transfer. Rômulo will sign a contract at the Bundesliga club until 2030.

Rômulo, 23, joins Leipzig following 22 goals and 13 assists over 46 appearances in all competitions for Göztepe last term. The move represents a record sale for the Turkish side, who spent just €2.5 million to sign Rômulo on a permanent basis from Athletico Paranaense earlier this campaign.

LEIPZIG’S NEW-LOOK ATTACK

Rômulo’s arrival will see him replace Slovenian striker Šeško, who left Leipzig for Manchester United earlier this summer in a €85 million deal the latest transfer report confirmed.

Leipzig finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season, resulting in them missing out on European football and piling pressure on the squad to return this campaign this detail emphasizes their competitive urgency. Rômulo’s pace, power and eye for goal are earmarked as the long-term replacement for Šeško, with Leipzig head coach Oli Werner building a young attacking line-up. The Red Bulls are also interested in signing Portuguese forward Fábio Silva and Premier League winger Harvey Elliott, with further changes expected in the final week of the window.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR LEIPZIG AND GÖZTEPE?

Rômulo may not be registered in time for Leipzig’s DFB Pokal game against Sandhausen this weekend, but he will make his debut in their opening Bundesliga match next Friday against Bayern Munich.

Mainz finished 1 point above and were the last team to qualify for European football, and with the potential departure of Xavi Simons for Chelsea, the team is undergoing big squad changes.

Göztepe, meanwhile, must replace Rômulo after the club finished 8th in the Turkish Süper Lig last term. The funds from the Brazilian forward’s sale will boost Göztepe’s hopes of climbing the league standings, with head coach Stanimir Stoilov using Rômulo’s sale to address issues in the squad following a difficult campaign. Göztepe travel to last season’s runner-ups Fenerbahçe for the 2nd matchday of the season, after opening with a 3-0 win against Rizespor last weekend.