A return to the fold

Yan Diomande has returned to pre-season training with his RB Leipzig team-mates following a bout of illness, with his big-money transfer to Real Madrid yet to be finalised.

The 19-year-old winger missed Leipzig's 4-0 friendly win over SC Verl on Saturday, and though head coach Martin Demichelis put his absence down to illness, that did not stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive. Diomande has now been welcomed back to the club's training camp in Austria by Leipzig's social media accounts.

The state of the Madrid deal

Reports last week had already suggested Madrid had agreed personal terms with Diomande, and on Wednesday it was claimed a deal was close to being finalised between the clubs. However, no confirmation has yet been made, and it is believed the fee for the teenager could land between €130m and €140m should Los Blancos seal the transfer.

Diomande is keen on a move to Real Madrid, but for now, he is back in pre-season training with his RB Leipzig team-mates.

A breakout campaign

Diomande emerged as a top target for several of Europe's biggest clubs after a breakout campaign in 2025-26, when Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga. The 19-year-old contributed to 22 goals in 36 games across all competitions for Leipzig last season (13 goals, nine assists).

In the German top flight, he led all players for successful dribbles (118) and take-on ending carries (104), before carrying that form into the World Cup with Ivory Coast, where he produced lively displays as they finished second in Group E, though they eventually lost to Norway in the last 32.

At the tournament, Diomande became only the second African player on record (from 1966 onwards) to complete 10+ dribbles and create 10+ chances in a single group-stage campaign, after South Africa's Quinton Fortune in 2002.

Competition pulses with the baton

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain were the first clubs to be linked with Diomande, but both have now turned their attention to other targets. The Reds are reportedly keen on signing PSG's Bradley Barcola, while the French champions released a statement last week confirming they would not meet Leipzig's asking price for Diomande.

It remains to be seen whether a move for Diomande would affect Madrid's plans regarding Vinicius Junior, who has been linked with Arsenal. The Brazilian said on Tuesday that he is focused on success under Jose Mourinho with Madrid ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, though reports have suggested he is open to joining the Premier League champions.