CORNERFLICK
Real Madrid have stepped up their move for Yan Diomandé and are understood to have put forward a €100 million offer for the RB Leipzig winger. Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are also said to be in the race, but Madrid are still pushing to finish the deal.
Why Madrid have shifted targets
The club had previously looked at Michael Olise, but Bayern Munich’s asking price of around €200 million made that move difficult to justify. Reports also say Bayern do not want to sell and are working on a contract extension for the French forward until summer 2031.
Diomandé, by contrast, is seen as the more workable option. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international would cost less than Olise and gives Madrid a younger player with more room to develop.
Leipzig’s position gives Madrid room
Leipzig signed Diomandé from Leganés for €20 million and, according to reports, would not block a sale if the right offer arrives. That has made talks easier than Madrid’s pursuit of Olise.
Diomandé can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, which adds to his appeal for Madrid. He is also described as contributing defensively by helping his full-backs.