Madrid pursue Yan Diomande after initial bid rejected by RB Leipzig

By Sanjay Menon — 25 July 2026 — 3 min read

Real Madrid has reportedly had an initial bid rejected by RB Leipzig for winger Yan Diomande. The offer was for an initial fee, plus add-ons. Despite the rejection, negotiations are said to be active, with growing optimism that a deal could be finalised in the coming days.

Liverpool has also expressed interest in Diomande, indicating a willingness to offer a significant amount. Other clubs, including Paris St-Germain, Arsenal, and Manchester City, also remain interested in the player. Sources close to the potential deal have described the situation as an open race with six weeks remaining in the transfer window.

Diomande’s preference and club interest

Diomande had previously indicated a preference to move to PSG earlier this summer and reportedly agreed to a contract with them until 2031. However, RB Leipzig is reportedly only willing to sell for an exceptional fee. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has held discussions with the German club regarding Diomande.

Real Madrid has been active in the current transfer window following the return of Jose Mourinho. The club has already secured players such as Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Marc Cucurella. The pursuit of Diomande comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Vinicius Junior.

According to reports, Manchester City and Arsenal have also made approaches for Diomande in the last 10 days. However, the winger has reportedly made it clear that his priority is Real Madrid. This move aligns with Jose Mourinho’s desire to enhance the team’s attack with more pace, dynamism, and one-on-one ability, with Diomande expected to primarily operate from the right wing.

Impact on squad and future plans

Should the deal be completed, it could raise questions about the futures of Endrick, Franco Mastantuono, and Brahim Diaz, who are all competing for attacking minutes. The timing of Real Madrid’s pursuit is also notable, as earlier reports linked Arsenal with a potential move for Vinicius Junior if his contract talks were to stall.

While there is no indication that the two situations are directly connected, Diomande’s arrival would further strengthen Madrid’s attacking depth and could influence the club’s long-term frontline planning. The potential signing would represent another aggressive move in the market for Real Madrid, similar to the swift acquisition of Marc Cucurella earlier this summer, as the club continues to reshape Mourinho’s squad.

Diomande’s senior career began with several starts for Leganes at the end of a recent season, where he scored in two games against Espanyol and Valladolid. His performances led RB Leipzig to sign him, and he has since made a significant impact in the Bundesliga. The player is described as thrilling to watch and difficult to defend, possessing unpredictable enterprise.

Real Madrid has reportedly been tracking Diomande for some time. The intervention of the Spanish giants reportedly prompted the player to give his initial agreement to a move to the Spanish capital, disrupting earlier plans for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The club’s focus on Diomande comes as they face an impasse in their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Olise. Despite Olise still being a priority for president Florentino Perez, officials at Valdebebas are reportedly convinced that the Bavarian club will not part with its star this summer. Real Madrid has chosen to temporarily freeze negotiations for Olise, remaining on standby for any indication from Bayern Munich that a deal might be possible next summer.

The pursuit of Diomande is part of Real Madrid’s strategy to strengthen its squad, with the club reportedly ready to invest a substantial amount to secure key targets. The transfer window remains open for six more weeks.

Source: skysports.com