Yan Diomande's future continues to be the transfer saga of the summer window, with the forward still linked with a move to Real Madrid that hasn't gone through yet.
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Group E Runners Up and Group I Runner-Up at Dallas Stadium
The Yan Diomande transfer saga continues to rumble on(Image: (Photo by Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images))
The future of Yan Diomande still remains unclear, as the forward has seemingly pulled out of RB Leipzig's pre-season training camp, with discussions over an exit still ongoing.
It comes amid links with a switch to Real Madrid, in a transfer saga that has taken plenty of twists and turns over the summer months, with a conclusion to it not quite in sight for all parties involved.
The Athletic reports that Diomande won't travel with the rest of the team to Austria, with negotiations ongoing, as the players prepare for a return to Bundesliga action in the coming month.
That is while discussions are ongoing for a transfer with Real Madrid, as Leipzig holds out for roughly $150 million as the valuation for the 19-year-old winger.
Everything points towards a deal getting done at some stage, with Los Blancos upping their recent bid just shy of that valuation, which could bring an end to a transfer saga that has swayed back and forth.
Liverpool took an early interest in Diomande, making an offer to sign the star from RB Leipzig as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
That interest was rebuffed, and while the Reds carefully plotted another move, PSG stole a march in proceedings as the player stated his preference to join the European champions instead.
That has since seen Liverpool look elsewhere, with the latest transfer links surrounding a deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Les Parisiens.
PSG would soon get a taste of its own medicine in the Diomande saga, as Real Madrid entered the conversation, firmly nudging the French club out of the way.
Yan Diomande
Liverpool targeted Yan Diomande earlier in the transfer window(Image: Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Negotiations have dragged on, and while there is an expectation that a deal gets done, the talks are at a delicate stage where everything must go right to secure the transfer.
Diomande's lack of involvement in pre-season for Leipzig has only strengthened talk of an exit from the Bundesliga club, though his latest exclusion was ruled down to illness.
"I know it’s a big topic. Yan is genuinely ill," Leipzig Manager Martin Demichelis told Sky Germany about his absence. We’ll see. I haven’t spoken with the doctor yet. If he’s healthy, he has to come with us. If he’s ill, then he’s ill."
With it now decided that the winger won't join up with the team, the mind games begin over whether he truly is ill, or whether Leipzig will try and protect the star's value while negotiations continue.
The saga continues to drag on, with all parties hoping to get the transfer sorted sooner rather than later.