There’s something a little electric about watching a teenager suddenly make sense at the top level. Maybe it’s the speed of it, maybe the surprise. Either way, Assan Ouedraogo’s recent run with RB Leipzig has put him squarely on the radar of Premier League clubs — notably Manchester United and Chelsea. He isn’t a household name just yet, but his rise this season has felt… inevitable, in a way. Not smoothly inevitable, more like one of those things that finally clicks after a messy start.
A brief backstory: Ouedraogo moved to Leipzig from Schalke in January 2024. That first spell didn’t go perfectly — injuries limited him to a handful of appearances, and it was easy to wonder whether this would be another promising youngster who never quite got the chance. He made just three Bundesliga substitute appearances and had a single German Cup outing across two injury breaks. Frustrating, yes. Familiar, also yes. But then he came back. And how.
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Why his form matters now
Over the last stretch of league games, Ouedraogo has been involved directly in six goals across eight matches — a tidy return for someone still learning to handle the demands of senior football. Those numbers don’t just show ability; they suggest a player beginning to read the game, finding space, timing runs, and making decisions under pressure. It’s one thing to be talented in youth games. It’s another to add tangible output in the Bundesliga, which remains a very competitive environment for young midfielders.
That run of form earned him a Germany call-up, and he didn’t just make up the numbers. He scored on his debut for the national team, becoming the youngest player to do so since Klaus Stürmer in 1954 — yes, 1954. That’s the kind of headline that sticks. Leipzig’s coach, Ole Werner, has called him an “unbelievable talent,” which, fair enough, coaches always praise players — but in this case, it feels deserved rather than obligatory.
Who’s looking — and why
Reporters in Germany and England are now linking both Manchester United and Chelsea with serious interest. It makes sense on paper. Chelsea have been on a long campaign of signing young talent across Europe; they invest in futures as much as fortunes. Ouedraogo fits that profile: young, versatile, and improving rapidly. Chelsea’s recruitment model would see him developed further — maybe rotated into cup games, gradually introduced in the league. That pathway has worked for others, though not always.
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Manchester United offer a slightly different pitch. United’s midfield is in a state of flux. There’s Casemiro, a known quantity but older; Kobbie Mainoo, promising but still growing; Manuel Ugarte’s future is murky. Those gaps — real or likely — mean that a young midfielder could find more immediate playing time at Old Trafford than at some other clubs. And let’s be honest: game minutes matter, especially with the 2026 World Cup not far off. For a player like Ouedraogo, regular football could accelerate both his development and his international prospects.
Money and timing: what might happen next
Transfermarkt lists Ouedraogo’s market value at roughly £8 million. That figure, though, feels almost quaint given the context. Leipzig don’t habitually include release clauses in their contracts, and their business model is built around developing talent and selling at a profit. They’ve done it before. So while £8m is a starting point, any serious bid would likely be considerably higher. Add to that the fact Leipzig have him tied down until 2029 — the club has leverage.
There’s also the matter of established relationships. Manchester United recently completed a deal for Benjamin Šeško from Leipzig, which might smooth negotiations if both clubs see mutual benefit. Teams that have done business together before often find it easier to agree on structure and timing. Still — and this is worth stressing — Leipzig are not a selling club at any cost. They will weigh offers carefully, especially now that Ouedraogo’s stock has risen thanks to his Germany debut and steady Bundesliga form.
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How Ouedraogo might choose
Playing time, development plan, and club environment will all weigh heavily. Does he go to Chelsea and join a large pool of young players, where competition is fierce and the climb slower but rich with coaching resources? Or does he move to Manchester United, where a clearer route to first-team minutes might exist due to current squad uncertainty? Both routes have pros and cons. Personally, I’d lean toward a club that promises minutes — young midfielders live or die by how much actual match time they get. But there’s also the attraction of a carefully staged development project; sometimes patience pays, even if it feels slow.
There’s another subtle pressure: market expectations. If Leipzig insist on a big fee, clubs will have to balance the transfer cost against the potential resale value and the immediate contribution he can make. And from Ouedraogo’s perspective — this is his life-changing move, after all — there’s the non-football side: settling in a new country, language, locker-room dynamics. Those things matter more than fans sometimes give credit for.
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A small dose of realism
We shouldn’t pretend that every teenage break-out becomes a superstar. Many promise, few realize. Ouedraogo has the tools: a recent string of strong performances, a national-team goal, and backing from his manager. That’s a solid foundation. But football is messy. Injuries can return. Form can waver. Transfers can stall.
Still, watching his arc now — from injury-hit newcomer to Germany scorer and regular Bundesliga contributor — is intriguing. If I had to guess (and this is just me, so take it with a pinch of salt), United might have a slight edge because of prior dealings with Leipzig and the club’s immediate need for midfield reinforcements. But Chelsea’s appetite for young talent is real, and if they pitch the right plan — environment, coaching, pathway — they could tempt him too.
Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye on the next few months. Summer windows are where futures are reshaped, and Ouedraogo’s name is one of those that could pop up in several big conversations. For the player, for the clubs, and for supporters who love a good young story, this one feels like it’s only just getting started.
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