Real Madrid have taken a significant step forward in their pursuit of Yan Diomande, verbally agreeing personal terms with the RB Leipzig winger as per Fabrizio Romano, as the race for one of Europe’s most sought after young attackers intensifies.
The development mirrors what Paris Saint-Germain achieved back in June, when the Ligue 1 champions secured the player’s green light on personal terms and reportedly agreed a five year contract running until 2031.
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Madrid have now matched that, meaning both clubs hold an understanding with Diomande himself.
What neither has managed, crucially, is an official agreement with Leipzig.
That remains the sticking point in a saga that has dragged on for most of the summer.
Madrid’s opening formal proposal, worth €100 million structured as €90 million guaranteed plus €10 million in add ons, was rejected by the Bundesliga side, who are understood to want closer to €130 million with the vast majority of that figure fixed rather than performance related.
Los Blancos are now preparing to return with an improved bid in an attempt to force the issue.
PSG, meanwhile, are not standing still.
Reports indicate the French champions made fresh contact again as they attempt to finally break the deadlock with Leipzig, having so far failed to submit a formal offer despite holding extensive dialogue between Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Oliver Mintzlaff.
For Liverpool, the whole episode has been a source of considerable frustration.
The Reds were the first club to move seriously, tabling a €100 million package worth €80 million plus €20 million in add ons, only to see it rejected before pulling out of the race entirely once it became clear Diomande’s preference lay elsewhere.
Andoni Iraola has since been forced to explore alternatives as he searches for a long term successor to Mohamed Salah, with names including Said El Mala and Andreas Schjelderup among those under consideration.
Arsenal and Manchester City also made enquiries over a ten day period, though Fabrizio Romano was clear that neither progressed beyond information gathering, noting that the player was simply not opening doors to a Premier League move.
The scramble is easy to understand.
Diomande, still only 19, scored 12 goals and provided 9 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, completing 118 successful dribbles, more than any other player in the division, while creating 56 chances and collecting the league’s Rookie of the Season award.
He then enhanced that reputation at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, creating five chances in the opening win over Ecuador and dribbling past Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie four times in a single evening.
With personal terms now agreed on both sides and Leipzig holding firm, the decisive factor will be which club blinks first on the fee.
Madrid appear ready to escalate.
PSG must respond quickly or risk losing a player they thought was already theirs.
🚨⚪️ Real Madrid have verbally agreed on personal terms with Yan Diomande. 💣
Same as Paris Saint-Germain in June, Real also have player’s green light on terms.
Real set to return with new bid to Leipzig after €90m plus €10m rejected.
PSG, in contact again today to try until… pic.twitter.com/48MnE5Jqf5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2026
Real Madrid
Yan DIomande