Ademola Lookman is reportedly fighting for his RB Leipzig future and a departure from the German Bundesliga club before the transfer window closes cannot be entirely ruled out.
The Nigeria international spent last season on loan at Leicester City but had to return to his parent club as the Foxes have yet to trigger the purchase clause in the deal taking him to the King Power Stadium.
According to German newspaper Bild, Lookman is competing with Spanish top talent Hugo Novoa for a place in the RB Leipzig squad.
Manager Domenico Tedesco is testing both players who are predominantly attack-minded in a five-man defence at the pre-season training camp before a decision is made on their future.
Per the report, should the Spaniard win the battle over Lookman, the Super Eagles star is unlikely to be a RB Leipzig player when the transfer window closes.
The 2017 U20 World Cup winner with the Young Lions was deemed surplus to requirements by two former RB Leipzig coaches Julian Nagelsmann and Jesse Marsch, leading to back-to-back loan spells at Fulham and Leicester City.
Lookman, who has a contract until June 30, 2024, is expected to be scrutinized by Tedesco on Saturday afternoon when Leipzig take on Joe Aribo's Southampton in a pre-season fixture at the Lavanttal-Arena in Austria.