Paris Saint-Germain have formally withdrawn from the pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande. This development has reportedly increased Real Madrid’s confidence in securing the Ivory Coast international. Real Madrid is understood to be actively working to finalise a deal for the 19-year-old, having already reached an agreement on personal terms with the player.
A statement from the Ligue 1 and European champions, given to Sky in Germany, indicated that PSG found the asking transfer fee and salary demands to be disproportionate. The club stated it would not compromise its principles of rational financial management and squad balance.
Real Madrid’s pursuit and other interested clubs
Real Madrid previously had a £85.4m (€100m) bid for Diomande rejected, with Leipzig seeking a higher fee for his transfer. Despite this, Real Madrid continues to push for a deal, having already agreed to personal terms with the player. Diomande had reportedly shown a preference to join PSG earlier in the summer and had agreed to a contract with them until 2031.
Jose Mourinho’s side has been active in the current transfer window, with several players already secured. These include Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Marc Cucurella. Liverpool has also expressed interest in Diomande but is reportedly unwilling to pay more than £85m. Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City are also said to be keen on the Ivorian forward.
Spanish journalist Tomás Roncero has praised Real Madrid’s transfer activity, suggesting that signing Diomande could potentially lead to the departure of Vinícius Júnior. Roncero noted Diomande’s potential, which was evident during the last World Cup, and views him as a possible successor to Vinícius. He also suggested that Diomande’s arrival indicates Real Madrid has moved on from pursuing Michael Olise.
Arsenal is reportedly exploring a potential deal for Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior. While there has been no club-to-club contact at this point, interest from Arsenal is described as real. Vinícius Júnior, a Brazilian international, 26, is in the final year of his contract. If a new deal cannot be agreed upon, Real Madrid might consider selling him to avoid losing him for free next summer. Other forward targets Arsenal is reportedly considering include Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola.
Bayern Munich on Olise’s future
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich director Christoph Freund has dismissed claims linking Michael Olise with a move to Real Madrid. Freund stated that a move for Olise is not a topic for Bayern, expressing delight that Olise has returned from his holiday. He affirmed that Olise is expected to continue playing an important role for Bayern Munich this season, similar to his performance last year.
Diomande’s rapid rise in football has been notable. Just last year, his senior career consisted of a few starts for Leganes as they faced relegation from LaLiga. He scored in two of those six games, against Espanyol and Valladolid. His performance was enough to convince RB Leipzig to invest €20m to bring him to the Bundesliga, where he has since made a significant impact.
Roncero also highlighted Real Madrid’s discreet approach to transfers, noting that deals like Cucurella’s were completed without leaks to the press. He believes this secrecy prevents other clubs from demanding higher sums. Roncero also expressed a desire for Real Madrid to sign Rodri from Manchester City, describing it as a “crowning glory” for the club’s transfer efforts.
On potential departures from Real Madrid, Roncero predicted that at least three players could leave. He suggested that Mastantuono might be loaned out, and considered selling Camavinga if a Premier League club offered 60 or 70 million. He also mentioned Gonzalo or Endrick as potential departures, while expressing a personal wish for Gonzalo to remain at Real Madrid despite understanding his need for regular playing time.
Diomande’s journey from Leganes to becoming a target for Europe’s biggest clubs underscores his talent and potential, with Real Madrid now seemingly in a strong position to secure his services following PSG’s withdrawal.
Source: skysports.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
