Silva on decision to remain in Leipzig: "The biggest stage and the best players."

Recently returned from a loan out with Real Socieadad, 28-year-old Portuguese striker André Silva is settling in for another season at Leipzig. The former Eintracht Frankfurt star - who moved to the Saxon capital on a record deal in the summer of 2021 - has seen his estimated market worth decline from a peak of €45 million when that deal was completed to €6 million in the current transfermarkt listings. 

Silva wasn't able to replicate his 28-goal-season for Frankfurt during the 2020/21 campaign. After notching 11 tallies for Leipzig during the 2021/22 season and netting just four league goals the year thereafter, Silva's prospects with the German Red Bulls steadily diminished until he faced little-to-no prospects with the team ahead of last season. 

The current cycle appears to not offer Silva much hope either. Loïs Openda, Benjamin Sesko are ahead of him on Marco Rose's RB depth chart. Club veteran Yussuf Poulsen and promising new signing Antonio Nusa can also play Silva's position. The 53-times-capped international hasn't logged a minute of action in the league this year, though he did register an assist in an eight-minute relief shift in the Pokal. 

Silva's decision to remain at Leipzig this year - footballing cynics might note - likely had much to do with the €7 million annual salary negotiated as part of the Frankfurt transfer. Speaking to Germany's main sporting tabloid, the striker nevertheless wished to emphasize that there were other factors at play. Amongst those, Silva insisted that he maintained hope of earning more playing time. 

"I have a lot of confidence in myself," Silva told the paper, "I know my worth and know what I'm capable of. There were a lot of rumors. The truth is that there was a lot of interest in me. I had a few offers from other clubs, but opted to remain in Leipzig. That was the best decision for me." 

"A lot of it had to do with the timing and the specifics of the club offers," Silva continued, "I decided for the club that would offer me the chance to shine on the biggest stage and train with the best players." 

"The sporting aspect drove the decision," Silva went on, "but the city and the environment also played a role. My life's passion is to play football and Leipzig is one of the best teams in Europe."