Leipzig on double duty: Red Bulls snap up Gruda and Thomas to bolster attack
RB Leipzig have moved swiftly in the transfer market, securing PSV youngster Ayodele Thomas and bringing Brajan Gruda back to the Bundesliga from Brighton.
Leipzig aren’t messing about in the transfer market, acting decisively after slipping to fifth in the Bundesliga following a draw with St. Pauli and defeat to Mainz.
Double swoop completed
The Red Bulls have completed a promising double signing to strengthen their attacking options:
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Ayodele Thomas - The highly-skilled 16-year-old Dutch winger joins from PSV’s reserve team for a modest €400,000 fee. The Nigerian-descent youngster was approaching the end of his contract with the Dutch club.
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Brajan Gruda - The German U21 international returns to the Bundesliga on loan from Brighton, just months after leaving Mainz for the Premier League in a €31.5 million deal last year.
Thomas catching eyes
Sporting Director Marcel Schäfer is clearly chuffed with landing Thomas, describing him as “a fast, skillful and agile winger who always looks for one-on-ones” - music to the ears of Leipzig supporters.
The young Dutch talent has been in proper nick for PSV’s reserves this season, notching three goals and providing six assists in 18 appearances. At just 16, he represents a classic Leipzig signing - young, talented, and with massive potential for development and future profit.
Gruda’s homecoming
Gruda’s arrival is equally intriguing. The 20-year-old creative midfielder will don the number 10 shirt at Leipzig, suggesting they have significant plans for him in the second half of the season.
Having only moved to Brighton in 2024, his quick return to Germany raises eyebrows, but makes sense when you consider his World Cup ambitions. The loan gives Gruda a better platform to catch Julian Nagelsmann’s eye ahead of squad selection.
Despite limited playing time at Brighton, he’s still managed three goals and three assists in 20 appearances (896 minutes) this season - not too shabby for a player still finding his feet.
Transfer strategy
These two signings bring Leipzig’s winter window acquisitions to four, having already secured:
- Abdoul Koné for €17 million (who will remain on loan at Reims until season’s end)
- Suleman Sani from Slovakian club AS Trencin for €5 million
The club has now spent a total of €23.4 million this window as they look to climb back into the Champions League spots. After a couple of dodgy results, the Red Bulls are clearly not planning to sit on their Hampstead Heath.