RB Leipzig offers €1.5m to Brentford for Nigerian defender with a 15% sell-on clause after loan at Belgian club Dender

Benjamin Fredrick Transfer — Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig have formally approached Brentford with a €1.5 million bid to secure Nigerian defender Benjamin Fredrick on a permanent deal.

Also read: Guinness Nigeria profit soars to ₦26.3bn in 15 months

The 20-year-old right-back is currently on a season-long loan at Belgian side FCV Dender EH. Leipzig’s Sporting Director personally contacted Brentford officials to discuss the transfer, which would take effect once Fredrick’s loan concludes.

The deal reportedly includes a lucrative 15 per cent sell-on clause, allowing Brentford to benefit from any future transfers.

Fredrick’s recent performances for the Super Eagles have caught widespread attention.

Since his debut at the Unity Cup in June, the defender has impressed, notably during the international break, stepping in admirably due to the absence of key players Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Despite playing slightly out of position, Fredrick was a standout figure in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Lesotho and the 4-0 thrashing of Benin Republic — results that secured Nigeria’s place in the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

Super Eagles midfielder Christantus Uche recently praised Fredrick on social media, calling him “the best centre-back in the world,” notably favouring him over established stars like Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong.

At just 20, Fredrick combines composure on the ball, technical skill, and a ruthless tackling ability, making him the youngest member of Nigeria’s current squad.

His emergence is timely, given the scarcity of top-tier centre-backs in the national team.

Aside from Fredrick, only Fulham’s Calvin Bassey offers comparable quality in central defence, as captain Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi appear past their peak.

Troost-Ekong’s recent performances have drawn criticism despite his leadership role.

Fredrick’s loan at Dender offers him the perfect platform to develop away from Premier League pressure. His potential and consistent improvement suggest he could soon be a cornerstone for both club and country.

Also read: Guinness Nigeria profit soars to ₦26.3bn in 15 months

RB Leipzig’s interest aligns perfectly with their philosophy of nurturing young talents with high potential, signalling a bright future for the Nigerian defender should the transfer go through.

David Okere

David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.