Xabi Alonso is expected to perform major surgery in Chelsea’s final third this summer after a handful of disappointing 2025-26 performances, and Yan Diomande is one player linked with the Blues.
Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Pedro Neto have all failed to live up to expectation during 2025-26. With Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha joining, players will need to leave.
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Especially, without any European football next season. A left-sided winger is likely to be a priority come the summer, and RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old sensation Yan Diomande has been heavily linked with the Blues.
It comes after a stellar season in which the Ivory Coast international played a key role in getting Leipzig into the Champions League. He has had a hand in 23 goals in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
Leipzig make Diomande decision amid Chelsea interest
However, Leipzig’s qualification for the Champions League has given the German side some wiggle room. The Mirror report that Leipzig have decided to keep Diomande this summer and refuse any offers.
It comes after reports suggested Leipzig were actually going to try and extend £60m-rated Diomande’s contract, which still has four years left to run until the summer of 2026. But it looks as if he’s staying.
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig ) controls the ball
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It might prove to be good news for the likes of Garnacho and Gittens, but with the summer window only just beginning, the chances are Chelsea will focus on another target as Leipzig refuse to sell the winger.
A shame, however, because Diomande is quite clearly one of the best teenagers on the planet. Perhaps, Leipzig’s finish in the Bundesliga next season could determine whether they keep him in a year’s time.
Diomande had a trial at Chelsea, Rangers and Bournemouth
Remarkably, Diomande had a trial with Chelsea before his move to Leganes in Spain. The Blues were not the only ones to decide against Diomande, with Bournemouth and Scottish side Rangers also saying no.
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Yan Diomande's stats
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
More recently, Diomande appeared to add fuel to the fire when wearing a Chelsea shirt. It came after he had opened the door to a potential summer exit, but it seems Leipzig are now going to block a move.
Chelsea do have money to spend this summer, but realistically, it is not going to be the £300m+ spends they have orchestrated in the past. If Chelsea were to test Leipzig’s resolve, it would cost a pretty penny.
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