Bitshiabu's Galatasaray Struggles Put Leipzig's €28M Transfer Hopes At Risk

RB Leipzig faces growing uncertainty over El Chadaille Bitshiabu's future after a difficult start to his loan spell at Galatasaray, with reports from Turkey raising questions about the French defender's fitness and the likelihood of a permanent transfer.

The 21-year-old joined the Turkish champions in September in a deal worth €2 million, with Galatasaray securing an option to purchase him for a further €28 million next summer.

However, Bitshiabu has struggled to establish himself in Istanbul, and the prospect of Leipzig receiving that substantial transfer fee is looking increasingly uncertain.

Turkish Media Report Serious Fitness Concerns

Bitshiabu's lack of playing time has attracted considerable attention in Turkey, where several outlets have claimed that the defender arrived at Galatasaray significantly short of the required fitness level.

According to journalist Nevzat Dindar, the 1.96-metre-tall centre-back weighed approximately 110 kilograms upon his arrival, with a reported body fat percentage of 18%.

Turkish newspapers reported that Bitshiabu had lost around nine kilograms through intensive training, but neither Galatasaray nor Leipzig have officially confirmed any of those figures.

The reported fitness concerns have nevertheless coincided with a frustrating period for Bitshiabu, who spent almost two months waiting for his first competitive appearance.

He finally made his Galatasaray debut during the 4-0 victory over Konyaspor at the beginning of November, coming off the bench for the closing stages.

It was a positive first step, but his limited involvement remains far removed from what Leipzig envisaged when they approved the loan.

Leipzig's €28M Purchase Option Is Under Threat

When Bitshiabu moved to Istanbul, the Red Bulls' sporting director Marcel Schäfer emphasised the importance of regular competitive football for the defender's development.

The expectation was that Galatasaray would provide the Frenchman with opportunities at the domestic and European levels, allowing him to regain momentum after struggling to establish himself in Leipzig's defence.

Instead, his first appearance came nearly two months after his arrival.

That lack of playing time has significant financial implications.

Galatasaray's €28 million purchase option is not mandatory, meaning the Turkish club can return Bitshiabu to Germany at the end of the season without paying the additional fee. Galatasaray is currently considered unlikely to exercise the option.

For Leipzig, that would represent a major setback to their transfer planning, particularly given reports that the club needs to generate more than €100 million in player sales next summer.

Bitshiabu was among the players who could potentially contribute towards that target without weakening Martín Demichelis's first-team squad.

However, a permanent sale at the agreed price will be difficult to justify unless his playing time increases substantially.

Leipzig Could Face Another Difficult Summer Decision

Bitshiabu joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for a reported fee of approximately €15 million but has struggled to fulfil the expectations surrounding his arrival.

The defender has made just 48 competitive appearances for the German side across three seasons, including 38 in the Bundesliga.

His physical attributes and potential have never been in doubt, but injuries, inconsistency and competition for places have prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter.

The Galatasaray loan was intended to change that situation. Instead, Leipzig could find themselves facing another big decision next summer if the Turkish champions decline their purchase option.