Real Madrid have reportedly accelerated their pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with multiple outlets claiming the club has opened negotiations over a deal for the highly rated 19-year-old.
According to Bild, Madrid have already submitted an opening offer worth around €100 million, though Leipzig rejected the proposal. The Bundesliga side are believed to value the Ivory Coast international closer to €130 million, with reports suggesting a compromise around €120 million could eventually be possible.
Sky Germany also reports that Madrid’s offer was turned down, stating the proposal consisted of an initial £76.9 million plus £8.5 million in performance-related add-ons. Leipzig, however, remain firm in their valuation.
The race for Diomande’s signature has become one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer. Liverpool previously had an offer approaching €100 million rejected and remain interested, although reports indicate the Premier League club are unwilling to increase their bid beyond their current valuation.
Paris Saint-Germain have also tracked the winger closely for months. Several reports claim Diomande had even made the French champions his preferred destination and had reached a preliminary agreement on a long-term contract. However, PSG have yet to submit an offer capable of convincing Leipzig to sell.
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid’s arrival has significantly altered the transfer landscape. The outlet reports that the Spanish club are actively working on a deal after identifying Diomande as a priority addition on the right side of the attack.
Madrid’s interest does not necessarily depend on Brahim Díaz leaving. Although the club explored signing another right-sided attacker earlier this summer should circumstances change, The Athletic reports that both José Mourinho and the club continue to value Brahim highly, while the Morocco international himself wants to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Diomande’s representatives also have an existing relationship with Real Madrid. The winger is represented by Roc Nation Sports, the same agency that manages Vinícius Júnior and is currently involved in negotiations over the Brazilian’s contract renewal.
Leipzig, for their part, continue to publicly insist they want to keep their emerging star.
“Our clear intention is that Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year,” sporting director Marcel Schäfer recently said, with the German club also attempting to extend the winger’s current contract, which runs until 2030.
Despite those intentions, Diomande’s rapid rise has made him one of the most coveted young attackers in world football.
After arriving from Leganés just one year ago, the Ivorian enjoyed a breakout Bundesliga campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 33 league appearances as Leipzig finished third and secured Champions League qualification. He also featured in all four of Ivory Coast’s matches at the World Cup, helping his country reach the Round of 32 while continuing to enhance his growing reputation.
His development has been remarkably swift. Barely 18 months ago, Diomande was playing for DME Sports Academy in Florida before earning a move to Leganés. Just months later, he had made his La Liga debut — including an appearance against Real Madrid — before Leipzig invested heavily to bring him to Germany.
Since then, Diomande has established himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous one-on-one attackers. His explosive acceleration, elite ball-carrying ability, and willingness to constantly take on defenders have made him one of the Bundesliga’s standout dribblers. Comfortable on either wing and capable of finishing with both feet, he combines direct running with an aggressive counter-pressing work rate that has attracted attention from Europe’s biggest clubs.
Should a transfer eventually materialize, it would become the largest sale in RB Leipzig’s history, surpassing previous record departures such as Joško Gvardiol’s move to Manchester City and Benjamin Šeško’s transfer to Manchester United.
The move would also provide a financial windfall for Leganés, who reportedly retained a 10 percent sell-on clause when Diomande departed Spain last summer, meaning any deal worth well over €100 million would generate another substantial payday for the Segunda club.
