RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old prodigy has reportedly agreed to transfers to four different big clubs – despite the Bundesliga club wanting to keep him.
Yan Diomande, the winger from the Ivory Coast, has become one of Europe’s most sought-after players in the summer transfer window. After delivering 15 goals and 11 assists in 46 appearances for RB Leipzig last season, he has left a deep mark in football Europe.
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The 19-year-old has a contract with Leipzig until 2030, but that hasn’t stopped the biggest clubs from knocking on his door.
Already in June, Liverpool made a bid of a staggering £86.8 million – but were flatly rejected by the Germans, who are reportedly demanding over £100 million for the teenager.
Diomande open to four clubs
According to German BILD, both Manchester City and Manchester United can now join the race for the signature.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Diomande’s representatives are said to have been in daily contact with several clubs across Europe about his future, and the player himself has reportedly given the go-ahead for transfers to four different clubs. Which four? Names such as PSG, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are recurring – but Real Madrid and Chelsea are also following the situation closely.
The problem for everyone: No one is willing to pay more than Liverpool’s opening bid.
PSG was the favourite – but nothing is decided
Earlier in July, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that PSG was Diomande’s preferred destination. The player himself has been open about his love for the French big club:
“PSG is a team I’ve loved since I was little. I think my father was a PSG supporter. It’s a team I admire as a football fan,” he told French media.
In a separate interview with Telefoot, he added:
“Yes, it would be a pleasure for me to come here and play for one of the biggest clubs. It’s always a pleasure to come here. The language, French, will make customization easy, so why not? But again, I’m an RB Leipzig player, so that’s it.
Leipzig’s dilemma: Keep or sell?
Despite BILD reporting that Leipzig’s internal plan is to keep Diomande for one more season, the player himself is open to moving to any of the aforementioned clubs if Leipzig accept a bid.
Leipzig could also be open to a sale – with a clause that Diomande is loaned back for one season.
Other sources, on the contrary, claim that the Bundesliga club is ready to offer the winger a new contract and a significant salary increase.
Diomande: “I expect to leave”
During the World Championships, Diomande was clear about what he wants:
“My dream is to play for my country and make history with my country. I expect to go, of course. I have an agent who will handle the rest,” he said.
“But the most important thing right now is to be focused on the World Cup with my country and make history with them.
The fight continues
With the transfer window open until September 1, the battle for Yan Diomande is far from over. Liverpool have flexed their muscles, PSG have their hearts, Manchester City and United are watching – and Real Madrid and Chelsea are lurking in the background.
One thing is for sure: The 19-year-old winger has Europe’s entire football elite on the slippery slope, and no matter where he ends up, it will be one of the biggest transfers of the summer.
Keep your eyes peeled. This saga is just getting started.
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