The race for Yan Diomande has taken another turn, with two Premier League heavyweights making discreet enquiries about the RB Leipzig winger over the past week and a half, only to be met with a firmly closed door.
The 19 year old Ivorian has become the most in demand wide player in world football following a breakout Bundesliga campaign and a series of eye catching World Cup displays.
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His numbers last season told the story: 12 goals and 9 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances, 118 successful dribbles, more than any other player in the division, 56 chances created, and the league’s Rookie of the Season award.
Liverpool were the first to move seriously, submitting a bid worth €100m structured as €80m plus €20m in add ons.
That was rejected, and the Reds subsequently pulled the plug once it became clear Diomande’s preference lay elsewhere.
He has since agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain on a five year contract running until 2031.
The complication for PSG is that agreeing terms with a player and agreeing a fee with Leipzig are two very different things.
According to reports, PSG have yet to submit an official bid at all, with contact limited to conversations between Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Oliver Mintzlaff.
That hesitancy has left the door open, and Real Madrid have walked through it, tabling a formal €100m offer comprising €90m fixed plus €10m in add ons.
Leipzig rejected that too.
Into that vacuum stepped Arsenal and Manchester City.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed both clubs had been in touch, saying, “Arsenal made some calls to understand the situation.”
“Manchester City also made some calls to understand the situation.”
“The two English clubs were calling to ask how is the situation, what is the price, can we enter, what’s going on with the agents, just trying to understand the situation in general.”
Romano was clear, however, that neither is close.
He added on X, “Manchester City and Arsenal made calls for Yan Diomande over the last 10 days but player’s not opening doors.”
“No bids from PL, and only club going all in to face PSG is Real Madrid.”
From a Liverpool standpoint, walking away looks like the correct call, even if it stings.
Paying north of €130m for a teenager who has reportedly indicated he wants to be in Paris would be poor business, and the club have already learned from the drawn out Alexander Isak pursuit that dragging a saga across an entire window costs more than money.
The more sensible route is the one already being floated: Bradley Barcola, another PSG linked name, with reports suggesting a bid around £120m could get it done.
Whether that represents value is a separate debate, but at least Barcola would arrive wanting to be there.
🚨 Manchester City and Arsenal made calls for Yan Diomande over last 10 days but player’s not opening doors.
No bids from PL + only club going all in to face PSG is Real Madrid with first €90m plus €10m bid rejected by RB Leipzig.
🎥 https://t.co/aZ8HIVgiH8 pic.twitter.com/JD8rAjfz60
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2026
Arsenal
Manchester City
Yan DIomande