Expanding Leipzig's roster, here's the downsize:

- Expanding Leipzig's roster, here's the downsize:

RB Leipzig Sell Nordi Mukiele to Olympique Marseille, Sign Arthur Vermeeren Permanently

In a significant move for both clubs, RB Leipzig has sold defender Nordi Mukiele to Olympique Marseille for a reported fee of around €18 million. The departure of Mukiele, who made a total of 120 appearances for Leipzig over four seasons, marks the exit of another key player from their squad.

Simultaneously, Leipzig has secured the permanent signing of 20-year-old Belgian player Arthur Vermeeren, who spent last season on loan from Atlético Madrid at the German club. Vermeeren, who is in need of game time at his age, will now spend this season in France with Olympique Marseille.

Leipzig's sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, has praised Vermeeren, stating that he is a highly talented player. The coach of Olympique Marseille, Roberto De Zerbi, has also expressed his excitement about the signing of the young Belgian.

The sale of Mukiele and the purchase of Vermeeren are not isolated incidents for Leipzig. The club has been active in the transfer market this summer, making several moves to strengthen their squad. However, they have not announced any immediate replacements for either player.

Meanwhile, Marseille is hoping that Mukiele will help improve their performance in the Ligue 1 this season. His addition to their defensive line is seen as a significant reinforcement for the upcoming campaign.

Interestingly, Arthur Vermeeren's loan to Olympique Marseille is not an immediate replacement for Nordi Mukiele in the RB Leipzig squad. It remains to be seen who Leipzig will bring in to fill the void left by Mukiele's departure.

This transfer, along with several others, promises an exciting new chapter for both RB Leipzig and Olympique Marseille as they prepare for the upcoming season.