Sani Suleman’s promising spell at RB Leipzig could be heading for a surprisingly early crossroads, with Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah reportedly pushing to sign the Nigeria youth international.
Al Qadsiah have entered negotiations with Leipzig over a potential move for the winger and are understood to have tabled an €8 million offer plus add-ons, according to Afrik-Foot.
The proposal would represent a significant increase on the €5 million Leipzig paid AS Trencin for Suleman in January, although the structure of the bid could prove important.
Because the €8 million package includes performance-related add-ons, Leipzig could seek a higher guaranteed amount before agreeing to part with a player who still has five years remaining on his contract.
Why Al Qadsiah want Suleman
The Saudi Pro League side have emerged as an ambitious force since their promotion to the top flight in 2024 and have continued to strengthen their squad with prominent arrivals.
Their biggest signing of the summer has been Tijjani Reijnders, recruited from Manchester City for €61 million, while the squad also includes experienced names such as Nacho Fernandez and Mateo Retegui, alongside Julian Quinones.
Suleman has now emerged as one of the club’s leading targets as they look to add another young attacking option to their squad.
Leipzig move has not gone to plan
The attraction of the move is not difficult to understand. The winger arrived at Leipzig from AS Trencin in January after an impressive spell in Slovakia, where his pace, dribbling ability and work rate had marked him out as a player with considerable potential.
But his first months in Germany have been frustrating. Suleman has yet to make a competitive appearance for Leipzig’s senior team, leaving him without the first-team exposure he would have expected after securing a move to one of Germany’s leading clubs.
Even the expected departure of Yan Diomande has not opened the door for Suleman as much as anticipated.
That lack of playing time has fuelled speculation over his future, with reports in recent weeks suggesting Leipzig could be prepared to move the youngster on.
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A transfer to Al Qadsiah would immediately offer a different pathway, a regular football could give Suleman the opportunity to continue developing through consistent first-team minutes rather than remaining on the fringes of Leipzig’s senior squad.
He would also have the chance to play alongside some established names in the Saudi league, offering a combination of competition and experience.
Money is another major factor
Suleman is reportedly earning a gross salary of €470,000 per year at Leipzig. A move to the Saudi Pro League would be expected to bring a substantial increase, given the financial strength of clubs in the competition.
For a young player weighing his next step, the combination of regular football and a significantly improved financial package could make Al Qadsiah an attractive proposition.
But Leipzig’s position will be equally important.
The German club invested €5 million in Suleman only months ago and handed him a long-term contract. They therefore have little reason to accept an offer that does not reflect their valuation of his potential.
The current €8 million proposal, particularly with add-ons included, may not yet be enough to persuade Leipzig to sell.
A decision before the Saudi window closes
Time is also becoming a factor, the Saudi Arabian transfer window is scheduled to close on September 6, leaving the two clubs with a limited period to reach an agreement should negotiations advance.
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Suleman can continue fighting for his chance at Leipzig, where he remains tied to a long-term contract, or embrace a move that could provide immediate senior football and a potentially lucrative financial upgrade.
What happens next could determine the direction of one of Nigeria’s promising young wingers at a crucial stage of his development.
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