RB Leipzig have finished the summer transfer window as the fourth-biggest spenders in the Bundesliga, with only €67.5 million invested in new arrivals. Unlike the three clubs ahead of them, Leipzig's spending has been more than covered by an extraordinary level of income, making it one of the most financially positive windows in the German top flight.

According to the transfer figures, Leipzig generated €175.75 million from departures, leaving the club with a remarkable €108.25 million positive balance. Much of that figure is explained by one spectacular deal: Yan Diomande's move to Real Madrid.

The Ivorian winger left Die Roten Bullen for a guaranteed €125 million, with the final package potentially rising further through bonuses. Real Madrid ultimately secured one of the most sought-after young attackers in Europe, while RBL turned a €20 million investment from the previous summer into an enormous financial return.

That sale completely changed the complexion of Leipzig's transfer window.

Without Diomande, Leipzig's €67.5 million expenditure would have represented a significant investment in a squad being reshaped under Martín Demichelis. With the sale included, however, the club has managed to strengthen in several important areas while generating more than €100 million in net transfer income.

The arrivals also show a clear change in strategy. Maxime Estève arrived from Burnley for €25 million, while Rocco Reitz joined from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €20 million. The Red Bulls also brought in Marc Guiu from Chelsea for €15 million, adding another young attacking option to the squad.

The midfield was addressed late in the window with the arrival of Neil El Aynaoui from Roma on an initial €4 million loan, with a €25 million purchase option. The Moroccan international was one of the final pieces of Leipzig's summer rebuild and fits the profile Demichelis has been looking for in the middle of the pitch.

There were also more modest investments, with Ota Yamamoto arriving from Kashiwa Reysol for €500,000, while Christopher Nkunku returned from AC Milan on loan for €3 million. Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland joined on a free transfer, while several younger players were promoted or brought back into the wider first-team picture.

The other side of the window was arguably even more important.

Alongside Diomande, RB Leipzig generated substantial income from the departures of Loïs Openda, who joined Juventus on loan, while Eljif Elmas, Péter Gulácsi, Lutsharel Geertruida and others also left the club. The overall figure of €175.75 million in income puts Leipzig comfortably ahead of the other major Bundesliga clubs in terms of transfer balance.

That makes Leipzig's summer somewhat unusual in top-flight football. Bayer Leverkusen (€159m), Borussia Dortmund (€108.5m) and Bayern Munich (€106.95m) all spent considerably more than Leipzig, and all three ended the window with negative balances.

Leipzig, meanwhile, spent €67.5 million and ended with more than €100 million in profit.

The Diomande transfer was therefore not simply a huge sale; it effectively financed the club's entire summer rebuild and left Leipzig with significant money left over.

The challenge now is making sure the sporting side matches the financial success. Losing Diomande removes one of the most explosive young talents from the squad, meaning the responsibility falls on players such as Guiu, Nkunku, Rocco Reitz, Antonio Nusa and Johan Bakayoko to help replace that production.

For the Red Bulls, though, this is precisely the type of transfer model the club has built its reputation around: identify young talent, develop it, sell at the highest possible level and reinvest intelligently.

This summer, they have managed to do all of that at once.