Real Madrid recently had an £85.4m bid for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande rejected. The offer included an initial fee of £76.9m, with an additional £8.5m in add-ons. Despite the rejected bid, Real Madrid is reportedly in negotiations with RB Leipzig to reach an agreement for the Ivory Coast international. Personal terms have also been agreed upon between Real Madrid and Diomande.
Other prominent clubs, including Liverpool, Paris St-Germain, Arsenal, and Manchester City, have also expressed interest in the winger. Liverpool is reportedly willing to pay up to £85m for Diomande. This potential fee from Liverpool would exceed the Premier League’s record transfer for a teenager, surpassing the £58.9m paid by Manchester United for Leny Yoro in 2024.
Diomande’s preference and Leipzig’s stance
Earlier this summer, Diomande indicated a preference for a move to Paris St-Germain and has already agreed to a contract with them until 2031. However, RB Leipzig has stated they will only consider a sale for an exceptional fee. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has engaged in discussions with the German club regarding the player.
RB Leipzig’s managing director of sport, Marcel Shafer, has expressed the club’s clear intention for Yan Diomande to remain with them next year. The club is hopeful he will stay beyond the September 1 transfer deadline, and they have been attempting to secure him to a new deal, as his current contract extends through the 2029-30 season.
Diomande’s situation has reportedly changed with Real Madrid’s interest, creating more competition for his signature. Leipzig had been seeking a fee closer to €130million for the player.
Player profile and recent performance
Yan Diomande joined RB Leipzig a year ago from Spanish side Leganes after impressing during a short stint there. He scored in two of his six appearances for Leganes, which was enough to convince RB Leipzig to sign him for €20m. His performance in the Bundesliga has been described as a revelation.
Last season, Diomande scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 33 Bundesliga matches. He missed only one league game due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January. Leipzig finished third in the league, securing qualification for the 2026-27 Champions League.
Diomande also featured in all four matches for the Ivory Coast during the recent World Cup, helping his nation reach the round of 32, where they were eliminated by Norway. He has scored three times in 14 appearances for the Ivory Coast, making his mark at the Africa Cup of Nations and helping his country advance from a group that included Germany and Ecuador at the World Cup.
His playing style is characterized by unpredictable enterprise and rapid feet, making him a potent weapon on the counter-attack. He is capable of generating power and accuracy with both feet. Should he depart, Diomande would likely become Leipzig’s biggest sale, potentially surpassing the €76.5million paid for Benjamin Sesko by Manchester United a year ago and the €90m Manchester City spent on Josko Gvardiol in 2023.
Real Madrid’s transfer activity
Real Madrid has been active in the current transfer window following the return of Jose Mourinho as head coach. The club has already signed Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Marc Cucurella. Reports also indicate the club was working on a deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City.
The interest in Diomande comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Vinicius Junior. While Diomande can play on the left, he is also adept on the right wing, a position Mourinho reportedly favors for his 4-2-3-1 formation. Real Madrid is actively working on a deal for Diomande.
Source: skysports.com
