Reported Borussia Dortmund target David Raum set to sign with RB Leipzig
TSG Hoffenheim defender and Borussia Dortmund target David Raum is set to sign for RB Leipzig, according to multiple reports.
In what seems to be a relatively shocking turn of events, Hoffenheim left back David Raum is closing in on a move to RB Leipzig for a fee in the region of 30-35 million euros. The Germany international has been a long reported target of Borussia Dortmund for months now.
Over the course of the last several weeks, reports have circulated stating that both Dortmund and Raum were keen on a transfer, however the financial aspect of the move has been a stumbling block for Die Schwarzgelben.
In order to make the move a possibility, departures that would generate the adequate funds and provide space on the roster have not developed to date. Manuel Akanji in particular has been expected to leave this summer after refusing to sign a contract extension with the club, but so far offers have seemingly been few and far between for the Swiss international. Furthermore, the departure of players in Raum’s position of choice, namely Nico Schulz or Raphael Guerreiro, have also not come to fruition so far.
In addition to the interest from RB Leipzig, Raum has been linked with a number of clubs, including both Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Leipzig have reportedly been in touch with Raum’s entourage for months and now appear set to sign him.
While these developments may of course come as a shock and disappointment to Dortmund fans, it remains up for debate just how much of a defensive upgrade he would prove to be over Raphael Guerreiro.
A comparison, at least on the statistical level, suggests that they are both far more offensively oriented, and while Raum’s defensive stats are indeed slightly better, the numbers don’t indicate an overwhelming superiority in this vein. The main difference between the two players seems to be the level of commitment to running each makes over the course of 90 minutes, with Raum generally being the more active of the two players on this front.
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The price that Hoffenheim has set for Raum sits at around 35 million euros, which would have made him BVB’s record signing. It is a hefty price tag that perhaps is more than the club can commit to at this time, and so it looks like they will now miss out on his signature.