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28th Mar 2022

RB Leipzig ‘regret’ signing ‘immature’ Ilaix Moriba from Barcelona

Daniel Brown

Moriba has made just six appearances for Leipzig

RB Leipzig reportedly want to get rid of ‘immature’ summer signing Ilaix Moriba, who arrived at the club from Barcelona.

Moriba signed for the Bundesliga outfit from the Catalan giants in a deal costing an initial €16 million, with the potential for a further €6 million if certain variables are hit.

However, it doesn’t appear as though Leipzig will be required to make any additional payments, with BILD reporting that the German club regret signing the 19-year-old and deem him surplus to requirements.

RB Leipzig Moriba Barcelona

Failed to impress in Germany

The midfielder made just six appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, with Jesse Marsch – now Leeds United manager – and current boss Domenico Tedesco both unsure about the 19-year-old.

Moriba was sent on loan to Valencia in January, where he has made nine appearances in all competitions.

According to reports, the club were shocked and surprised when Moriba asked the club’s physios bring him grapes when he received massages.

The Bundesliga club are now expected to try and offload the Guinea international at the earliest opportunity, with Barcelona entitled to 10% of the fee after including a sell-on clause in the deal.

Moriba – who came through Espanyol’s academy – featured 18 times for Barcelona as he broke into the side at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

RB Leipzig Moriba Barcelona

Why did Barcelona opt to sell the midfielder?

However, the youngster reportedly demanded more than €100,000-per-week during contract talks with the LaLiga club, which led to criticism from then manager Ronald Koeman, who told him “that money is not the most important thing”.

Speaking in August, Koeman said: “Ilaix? I spoke with Ilaix Moriba two or three weeks ago, more as a person than as a coach.

“His situation is horrible because he’s only 18 years old, he is the future of the club and I know that the club love him. My advice is that money is not the most important thing.

“The truth is that I’m disappointed in him (Moriba) and his agents. I believe more in football than in money.”

Following the failed contract talks, the midfielder was dropped from the first-team squad before departing for Leipzig.

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