RB Leipzig have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign highly-rated Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna, leaving Brighton & Hove Albion in pole position to secure the teenager’s signature.
The 18-year-old attacker has attracted significant attention across Europe following his impressive performances for AIK Fotboll, with several top clubs monitoring his development closely.
Leipzig had identified Yohanna as one of Sweden’s most promising young talents and had tracked his progress for an extended period. However, reports indicate that the Bundesliga side have decided to end their pursuit after concluding that the financial package required to complete the transfer is beyond their valuation.
Their withdrawal has handed Brighton a major advantage in the race for the Nigerian forward. The Premier League club are understood to be continuing active discussions over a potential deal and are currently the strongest contenders to land the player.
Brighton’s growing interest could also complicate plans for fellow German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, both of whom have also been linked with the youngster in recent months.
Yohanna’s emergence has been one of the notable stories in Swedish football this season. Despite his age, the forward has already demonstrated maturity and attacking quality, registering two goals and three assists in just 10 competitive appearances.
Those performances have strengthened his reputation as one of the most exciting prospects in Scandinavia and helped attract interest from clubs competing at the highest level in Europe.
AIK remain in a strong negotiating position, however. Yohanna is under contract until December 2029, meaning the Swedish club are under no immediate pressure to sell and can demand a substantial fee for one of their most valuable young assets.
While Leipzig’s exit may reduce the number of active contenders, interest in Yohanna remains strong. With Brighton now leading the chase and other clubs still monitoring the situation, the Nigerian teenager’s future is expected to remain a major talking point as the transfer window progresses.
