Overview
- RB Leipzig confirmed the 28-year-old will not extend his expiring deal and will depart at season’s end on a free transfer, with Schlager pledging to finish the campaign fully committed.
- Schlager said the move is not against Leipzig but for something new, having made 97 appearances with four goals and nine assists and contributed to the 2023 DFB-Pokal and Supercup wins.
- Sporting chief Marcel Schäfer said Leipzig worked intensively over a long period to keep him but respects the decision and will focus on meeting this season’s targets.
- Succession planning is underway, with Sky reporting Gladbach’s Rocco Reitz as a leading candidate and BILD noting internal competition from Assan Ouédraogo and winter arrival Brajan Gruda.
- His next club is undecided, with media linking interest from Juventus, Roma, Celtic and potential Premier League suitors, while pundit Lothar Matthäus has even suggested Bayern as a possible fit.