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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>RB Leipzig reached verbal agreement with Bakayoko</li><li>Overtake Leverkusen as winger's preferred destination</li><li>English clubs also keeping tabs on PSV star</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Erik ten Hag loses the battle for Johan Bakayoko as Jurgen Klopp's RB Leipzig agree deal with Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth target

<p>According to <a href="https://sport.sky.de/fussball/artikel/rb-leipzig-bei-bakayoko-in-der-pole-position-auch-diomande-soll-kommen/13396448/35311" target="_blank"><em>Sky Sport</em></a>, Leipzig have reached a verbal agreement with the player's camp. This comes as a huge blow for their Bundesliga competitors, Leverkusen, who looked like they were about to sign the Belgian alongside PSV co-star Malik Tillman. With one year remaining on his PSV contract, the winger is projected to cost around €20 million (£17m/$23m). Leipzig are advancing quickly and want to secure the deal quickly.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Leipzig bring a lot more to the table for Bakayoko than their domestic rivals. The Red Bull-owned club are looking to outmanoeuvre Bayer and tempt the Belgian winger with the option of reuniting with his former PSV team-mate Xavi Simons. This could be a huge blow for Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, who have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Leverkusen were plotting to make a double swoop from PSV, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/bayer-leverkusen-usmnt-star-malik-tillman-psv/blt1f66e723e38f87e8" target="_blank">having already signed Tillman until 2030</a>. The winger, who is on the wishlist of many clubs, has had an underwhelming season in the Netherlands last season. This has prompted the winger to switch clubs, as he believes his growth and development has stalled in the Netherlands.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Leipzig players are also attracting a lot of interest, with Al-Hilal interested in signing <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/benjamin-sesko-saudi-pro-league-offer-arsenal-viktor-gyokeres-decision/blt0a03a99f31c79a6e" target="_blank">Benjamin Sesko</a> while Bayern Munich could make a bid to sign <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/bayern-back-xavi-simons-missing-out-florian-wirtz-nico-williams/blta1efff21033a9518" target="_blank">Simons</a> after their failed pursuit of Florian Wirtz and Nico Williams. Leipzig, who have Jurgen Klopp in position as head of global soccer at Red Bull, could part ways with the Slovenian striker and have put a price tag of €88m (£77m/$104m) on the forward.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LEIPZIG?

Erik ten Hag loses the battle for Johan Bakayoko as Jurgen Klopp's RB Leipzig agree deal with Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth target | Goal.com

RB Leipzig have sprinted ahead in the race to sign PSV&apos;s Johan Bakayoko with the winger left out of training camp as transfer looms over.

Erik ten Hag loses the battle for Johan Bakayoko as Jurgen Klopp&apos;s RB Leipzig agree deal with Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth target