Transfer: Why Suleman Sani could choose Al-Qadsiah over RB Leipzig

Super Eagles hopeful Suleman Sani is set to face an important choice before the summer transfer window closes, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 19-year-old Nigeria youth international joined RB Leipzig from AS Trenčín in January on a contract that runs until June 2031. Now, a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah is being discussed.

According to journalist Philipp P. Berger, Leipzig and Al-Qadsiah are negotiating a permanent transfer for Sani. The reported fee is about €8 million for the youngster who earlier looked set to remain at Leipzig. There is no final agreement yet, but the talks could give the winger a decision to make about the next stage of his career.

Leipzig offers a place in one of Europe’s leading development clubs. Al-Qadsiah offers something different: a possible path to regular senior football. At 19, Sani may decide that playing every week is more valuable than waiting for his chance at a major Bundesliga club.

Suleman Sani: Why Al-Qadsiah move makes sense

A better chance of regular minutes

Sani’s clearest football reason for considering Al-Qadsiah is playing time. Leipzig’s current squad has several young attacking players. Antonio Nusa, Johan Bakayoko, Brajan Gruda, Conrad Harder, Tidiam Gomis and Ayodele Thomas are all listed among the club’s forwards alongside Sani.

That competition can make it difficult for a 19-year-old to build a run of first-team games. Leipzig’s own team update recently said Sani was training with the U19 team ahead of the Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach on August 29.

Al-Qadsiah could therefore offer a quicker route into senior football.

A bigger role under Brendan Rodgers

Al-Qadsiah is not simply a club looking to add another young player to its squad. Brendan Rodgers is building a team with serious ambitions.

The former Liverpool and Celtic manager took charge in December 2025 and guided Al-Qadsiah to fourth place in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League. The club also went 17 league matches unbeaten and scored 67 goals after Rodgers arrived.

That attacking style could suit Sani. The Flying Eagles star is a quick winger who can run behind defenders, resist pressure and work hard without the ball. He had 16 goals and seven assists in 59 competitive matches for AS Trenčín.

A regular role under Rodgers could give Sani more chances to turn those qualities into goals and assists.

A chance to grow in a team with European-level ambition

Al-Qadsiah finished fourth last season and has started the new campaign with ambitions to challenge near the top again. The club also added Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders during the summer.

The attack already includes Mexico international Julián Quiñones, who scored 33 league goals in 2025-26 and won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. He also scored in Al-Qadsiah’s opening-day win over Al Shabab on August 13.

Playing alongside established stars could give Sani a different development path. Instead of fighting mainly for short substitute appearances, he could compete for a meaningful role in a team that wants to challenge at the top of the Saudi league.

At this stage of his career, that could be the strongest argument of all. Leipzig can offer the prestige of the Bundesliga and a long-term development plan. Al-Qadsiah could offer Sani something more immediate, including minutes, responsibility and the chance to make himself a first-team player.