Keep an eye on Yan Diomande — but probably not for January
When Yan Diomande arrived at RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025, after a €20m (£17.3m, $23.4m) move from Leganes, it was with the expectation that he could become a €100m player within the space of two years. The club were that excited by his talent.
In retrospect, that timeline might have been conservative. Diomande has developed far quicker than could have been anticipated, producing a string of excellent performances through the autumn, earning him December’s Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award and a significant boost to his reputation, both in Germany and beyond.
Leipzig continue to insist that he’s not for sale in January and that, even in the summer, a club would have to produce a truly exceptional offer to sign him — likely in the region of that €100million fee. He’s seen as one of the most talented players the club has ever had. And with a contract that runs until 2030, with no release clause, Leipzig are in an extremely strong position.
It has been suggested that the club will accept a knockdown price. Historically, that has never been the case. Josko Gvardiol (€90m),Dominik Szoboszlai (€70m),Dani Olmo (€55m) and Benjamin Sesko (€76.5m) were all only sold once valuations were met. Even in the summer, Xavi Simons — who only had a year left on his contract (with the option for a further season) — eventually moved to Tottenham for €65m.
Leipzig see Diomande as essential to their hopes of returning to the Champions League and are under no pressure to sell.
So, while Tottenham have paid attention to Diomande’s rise, as have Manchester United and several other clubs in Europe, the chances of the Ivorian moving clubs in this window are small
