RB Leipzig have turned their attention to RC Strasbourg, with the Bundesliga club opening discussions over two of the French side's key players, Samir El Mourabet and Diego Moreira.
According to Santi Aouna , negotiations are already underway between the two clubs as Leipzig attempt to find an agreement for the pair. Both players are reportedly attracted by the possibility of moving to Germany, giving Leipzig an encouraging starting point as they explore what could become an important double deal.
The two targets, however, offer very different profiles.
El Mourabet is primarily a midfielder, and that distinction is important when looking at Leipzig's interest. The 20-year-old left-footed Moroccan has emerged as one of Strasbourg's more interesting young midfielders after breaking into the first team last season.
His rise has been particularly impressive considering that he had not made a Ligue 1 appearance during the previous campaign. He made his top-flight debut against Metz in August 2025 and quickly became a regular part of Strasbourg's rotation.
By the end of the 2025/26 season, El Mourabet had made 33 Ligue 1 appearances, starting 25 of them. Across all competitions, he played 48 matches, accumulating more than 3,200 minutes and contributing four goals and two assists.
There is also a touch of his futsal background in the way he plays.
Before establishing himself in Strasbourg's first team, El Mourabet was regarded as a major futsal prospect, and that background helped develop the close control and technical confidence that now form an important part of his game. L'Équipe has highlighted his roots in street football and futsal, while his progression at Strasbourg has seen him evolve from an academy talent into a dependable Ligue 1 midfielder.
El Mourabet's profile is particularly interesting because he is not simply a technically gifted young midfielder. He has developed into a player who can control the rhythm of a game while still contributing defensively. Primarily a central midfielder, the Morocco international is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, using his left foot to escape the first line and then playing forward. His passing range is one of his standout qualities, with the vision to switch play or find teammates between the lines rather than simply recycle possession.
There is also a physical side to his game that can be easy to overlook when watching his technical qualities. A lean and elegant on the ball but unafraid to snap into tackles, and his discipline and physicality have allowed him to handle the demands of senior football at a remarkably young age.
El Mourabet can act as the player who connects the first and second phases of possession, offering a reliable passing option behind the ball before looking to accelerate the attack with his vision. He is not a midfielder who needs to constantly dominate the ball to influence a game. His value comes from understanding where to position himself, moving the ball quickly, and being willing to do the less glamorous work when possession is lost.
Moreira, meanwhile, represents a considerably more attacking profile.
The 21-year-old Belgian is primarily a left-back/left wing-back who operates from the flank, although his versatility allows him to play in multiple positions. His pace is particularly notable. UEFA recorded a top speed of 35.11 km/h in the Conference League last season, highlighting the explosive quality that makes him such an attractive transition player.
His 2025/26 campaign was considerably more productive from an attacking standpoint than El Mourabet's. Moreira made 27 appearances for Strasbourg, scoring four goals and providing six assists. That gave him 10 direct goal contributions in just over 2,000 minutes.
For Leipzig , the timing is particularly interesting. The club is not expected to spend the entire Diomandé windfall on one expensive replacement. Instead, the priority is to strengthen the squad across several positions.
The failed Fisnik Asllani deal has also changed the picture. Leipzig still needs an attacking option, but rather than replacing Diomande directly, El Mourabet and Moreira could now represent exactly the kind of market opportunity the club is looking for: young, talented profiles with significant potential who can be developed further.
