Report: Arthur Vermeeren seeks Leipzig exit after Bayern Munich drubbing

The 20-year-old Belgian international, who joined Leipzig permanently in January 2025 for 20 million euros, has struggled to secure a regular starting spot under new head coach Ole Werner.

Leipzig, aiming to trim their bloated 34-player squad, have faced challenges integrating Vermeeren into their plans. The former Atletico Madrid loanee was notably absent from Werner's matchday squad for Leipzig's opening Bundesliga clash against Bayern Munich, which ended in a crushing 6-0 defeat.

Tavolieri said on X that Vermeeren "is no longer part of Leipzig's plan and has been asked to find a way out during this transfer window."

During the Bayern match, Leipzig's midfield, including Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager, struggled to contain the opposition. Werner's tactical choice to deploy Xavi Simons, a reported Chelsea target, in a deeper defensive role also failed to deliver.

This poor performance has sparked speculation that Vermeeren could yet have a role to play. "The midfield was overrun," said a source close to the club, as reported by sport.de. "Werner will need to reassess his options, and Vermeeren's energy and ball-winning ability could be vital."

Vermeeren, who has six caps for Belgium and impressed with 39 appearances for Leipzig during his loan spell last season, was seen as a cornerstone for the club's future with a contract until 2029. However, his exclusion from recent plans has fueled rumors of a potential move, with clubs like Ajax and Manchester United previously linked.

Leipzig's heavy loss to Bayern has put Werner under pressure to rethink his 4-1-4-1 setup. With Vermeeren's future uncertain, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the talented midfielder stays to fight for his place or seeks a new challenge elsewhere.