Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver Schlager is a candidate to replace Konrad Laimer at RB Leipzig should the Austrian leave this summer with talks having already taken place, according to Sky Germany.
The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Wolfsburg and has a release clause. Schlager has a similar profile to compatriot Laimer, who has interest from Bayern Munich.
Kicker reported last month that Schlager and Wolfsburg are discussing a possible contract extension, but VfL could be forced to sell the former RB Salzburg midfielder in the summer to avoid risk losing the central-midfielder on a free transfer next summer.
Schlager was an option at Borussia Dortmund but that was prior to Marco Rose’s dismissal and the signing of 24-year-old midfielder Salih Özcan from FC Köln as a replacement for Axel Witsel, who is close to joining Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
Speaking in 2019, Schlager did state that he dreams of playing for Arsenal one day: “As a kid in Austria, everyone dreams of making it abroad, probably as early as the age of 7. The league just is not that attractive. I have not reached a final goal, now comes the next goal. I’ve been a fan of Arsenal since I was a kid, that’s my dream club and it’s my dream to play there,” the Austrian told Kicker.
GGFN
