Crystal Palace failed with some transfer swoops over the summer.
The Eagles were unable to sign Yann Bisseck from Inter Milan despite an approach for the German defender, which led to the £16m arrival of Jaydee Canvot instead.
Christoph Baumgartner was another player Crystal Palace tried to sign, and the Austria international has now spoken about the interest which came from Selhurst Park.
Christoph Baumgartner says he is “happy” after Crystal Palace snub
The RB Leipzig No.14 has now spoken to Sport1 – who directly asked him about interest from Crystal Palace – revealing that he is satisfied with his decision to reject his fellow countryman Oliver Glasner.
Baumgartner said: “Sure, it is a certain validation when other clubs are interested in you. It gives you confidence. After all, there was interest from clubs in the Champions League and the Premier League, but it was always clear to me, if I get a fair chance in Leipzig, I want to stay and make it here. The club gave me that trust, so in the end, it wasn’t an issue.
“I am very happy in Leipzig. The club has been one of the most successful in Germany in recent years, and it was the right decision to stay. I don’t have a rigid career plan. I just want to keep working and get better.”
Baumgartner – who RB Leipzig signed from TSG Hoffenheim for £24m back in June 2023 – has made six Bundesliga appearances so far this season, scoring two goals.
The 26-year-old made his way into the starting XI after RB Leipzig sold Xavi Simons to Tottenham, and has impressively been involved in a run of four wins and one draw ever since.
Crystal Palace reacted well after Christoph Baumgartner snub
Baumgartner is a quality player, and it must have been a pain for Steve Parish to see the Austrian remain in Leipzig, but those on the recruitment team at Selhurst Park reacted well.
A £21.6m deal to sign Yeremy Pino from Villarreal was wrapped up after the man born in Horn opted to stay in Germany, a player the Telegraph claim was not a target for the Eagles from early on in the summer.
There were even doubts over Pino during recruitment meetings, as Crystal Palace insiders initially debated whether the Spaniard was the “right fit” in the hunt for Eberechi Eze’s replacement.
A standout display in the 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv, where the Spain international provided two fantastic assists, suggests the Eagles reacted very well in the market after the snub from Baumgartner.
