Real Madrid reaches agreement for Yan Diomande; Liverpool explores Mbaye move
Real Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with RB Leipzig for the transfer of Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from Ivory Coast. The deal is understood to be worth up to 140m euros (£120m) following extensive negotiations. Separately, Liverpool is exploring a potential move for Paris St-Germain and Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who is 18 years old.
The agreement for Diomande, who made an impression for Ivory Coast during the World Cup, was reportedly finalised after several weeks of discussions. Paris Saint-Germain is said to have withdrawn from the race for the player. The transfer is reported to include an initial payment of €125m plus an additional €10m in add-ons, which would surpass the fee Real Madrid paid for Jude Bellingham in 2023.
Leganés, Diomande’s former club, is due a 5% sell-on fee from the transfer. He made 10 appearances for their first team before moving to Leipzig for €20m (£17.4m). Diomande, who was seen at Leipzig’s pre-season training camp in Austria, is expected to sign a contract until 2031. This move would make him the most expensive African player in history, exceeding the £72m Arsenal spent on Nicolas Pépé in 2019.
Transfer Market Activity
In other transfer news, Aston Villa has reportedly reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri, who is 24 years old. Liverpool has also been linked with a potential move for Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, 23, after the Spanish international was informed he could leave the La Liga club this summer.
Fulham is reportedly nearing the signing of Southampton and Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who is valued at £30m. Meanwhile, Trabzonspor is working to reunite Uruguay and Al-Hilal forward Darwin Nunez, 27, with his former Liverpool teammate, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, 34, at the Turkish club.
Aston Villa is preparing for a new bid from Arsenal for England defender Ezri Konsa, 28, while attempting to agree on a new contract to keep him at Villa Park. Hamburg is reportedly interested in bringing Belgian Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, 27, back to the Bundesliga.
Potential Departures and Contract Talks
Real Madrid could make two targets for Manchester United available: French midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni, 26, and Eduardo Camavinga, 23. This move could free up funds for them to sign 30-year-old Spain midfielder Rodri from Manchester City.
The impending arrival of Diomande is not expected to affect whether Vinícius Júnior remains in the Spanish capital. The Brazilian forward and his representatives, Roc Nation, held discussions with Real Madrid officials regarding a contract extension. Arsenal is reportedly prepared to offer more than £100m for the 26-year-old, who has less than a year remaining on his current contract.
Despite some reports suggesting Vinícius rejected Real Madrid’s latest contract offer, he is understood to be considering an improved deal closer to the €30m a season he requested. Sources in Spain have described these talks as positive. Vinícius stated that Real Madrid’s new manager, José Mourinho, wants him to be “happy, cheerful and playing my football” after returning to pre-season training following the World Cup.
Arsenal, who have agreed a £75m deal to sign Brazil teammate Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle, are believed to be exploring other attacking options should Vinícius choose to renew with Real Madrid. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, held talks with Atlético Madrid regarding Julián Alvarez on Wednesday, aiming to secure a deal for the Argentina forward. However, Arsenal hopes the 26-year-old could still be persuaded to join them.
Arsenal previously missed out on Morgan Rogers last month when the England forward joined Chelsea for a British record fee of £117m. They have also been linked with PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Liverpool and is valued at around £145m by the European champions.
Source: bbc.com
Priya Menon 