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Julian Nagelsmann updates on Patrik Schick’s future at RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann has said that the German won’t be able to afford a permanent deal for Patrik Schick at the end of the current campaign.

The Czech Republic international joined the club on a season-long loan from AS Roma last summer and they agreed on the option to sign him permanently for £26m or £25m depending on whether they qualify for the Champions League or not.

Schick was unavailable for Leipzig during the first couple of months of the season due to an ankle injury, but he has since caught the eye with nine goals and two assists from 18 Bundesliga matches.

In a recent interview with SportBild, Nagelsmann was asked about the prospect of signing Schick permanently and he was very pessimistic in his response.

While Leipzig are in a good position to push for Champions League football, the 32-year-old does not believe the club will have the funds to purchase Schick unless they are able to sanction player sales.

“I hope that we can finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League, but even then it is unlikely we would be able to sign Schick,” He told the German publication.

“Even if we were in the Champions League, we would not be in a position to throw money around. We have a tight budget and plans for the transfer market that we must respect. It can be difficult to appreciate, but if we don’t sell players then we can’t buy.”

Timo Werner has been frequently linked with a departure from Leipzig in recent months with suggestions that the German wants to make the Premier League move with Liverpool this summer.

The Reds have, however, yet to show any intention of triggering the £53m release clause on his contract as they are concerned over the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The clause is due to expire on June 15 this year and reports indicate that Werner could remain with Leipzig for another 12 months, thus giving Jurgen Klopp’s side time to solve their financial contraints.

With Werner likely to be staying put, Leipzig won’t necessarily face the burden to sign a new striker on a permanent deal and Schick may have to return to the Stadio Olimpico when the campaign concludes.

Leipzig are currently third on the table with 58 points on the board. Only two points separate them from Bayer Leverkusen, who are just outside of the Champions League places on goal difference.

Nagelsmann’s side can also qualify for the Champions League next season by winning the elite competition this term. They have already progressed to the quarter-final stage after a 4-0 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur in the first knockout round.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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