Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, although a previous deal involving Manchester United could make it difficult for the 19-year-old to leave RB Leipzig.
Manchester United have been quiet in the January transfer window. The only movement thus far has seen young players from the academy recalled from loan spells, with plans for more youthful prospects to go out on loan for the second half of the season.
An enquiry was made over a deal for Carlos Baleba, but Brighton were unwilling to do business for a key player midway through the season.
United also missed out on Antoine Semenyo as the winger left Bournemouth for Man City before featuring in the 198th Manchester derby on Saturday.
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It remains to be seen if United will seek any alternatives in the January transfer window, but there is a feeling that the board would prefer to wait until the summer to add to the squad.
That won’t stop United from being linked with players like Yan Diomande, who has returned to Bundesliga action after representing the Ivory Coast at AFCON, on the opposite flank to United star Amad Diallo.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig playing in the Bundesliga
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RB Leipzig want to keep Yan Diomande in January after Benjamin Sesko deal
United are among multiple clubs to have been linked with Diomande over the past few months, but those reports intensified when it became clear that City had won the race to sign Semenyo.
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Those links took a hit in the past week after it emerged that Diomande’s dream is to play for Liverpool. Such an admission doesn’t bode well for United because, as it happens, Arne Slot is reportedly keen on bringing the winger to Anfield.
Reliable transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Diomande’s future, with RB Leipzig adamant that the 19-year-old will remain at the Bundesliga club for the remainder of the season.
Romano explains that RB Leipzig made enough money from selling players like Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons in the summer that they are not under pressure to cash in on any of their current stars in January.
“The name of Yan Diomande returns in your questions and in the news always, because Yan Diomande is one of the best young wingers in the world, for sure,” Romano said.
“But Red Bull Leipzig insists that they want to keep the player.
“So despite Manchester United sending their scouts again to follow Yan Diomande, despite Tottenham being ready to do business now in January, immediately, with important financial proposals, the intention of Yan Diomande also is to understand the situation on the market, but Red Bull Leipzig want to keep the player in January.
“Red Bull Leipzig insists that Diomande will not leave in this January window. After they made important money in the summer, they are not looking for money. They sold Sesko, they sold Openda, they sold Xavi Simons.
“So now, Yan Diomande is staying at the club in January. This is the message from Leipzig, but in the summer, it’s going to be a crazy battle.
“And again, Man United are sending their scouts, Tottenham as well, Paris Saint-Germain also are following the boy closely. So it’s going to be a big battle, for sure, for Jan.”
This means United have accidentally cost themselves Diomande by signing Sesko in the summer, but I don’t think there will be fans bothered by that, as the Slovenian striker has shown encouraging signs in his first season at Old Trafford.
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Benjamin Sesko shots on target vs Burnley compared to Rasmus Hojlund's shots on target in 2024/25 season
Benjamin Sesko shots on target vs Burnley compared to Rasmus Hojlund’s shots on target in 2024/25 season
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Sesko has three goals in his last two appearances for United, but the 22-year-old sat on the bench for the Manchester derby win on Saturday purely due to tactical reasons.
The former RB Leipzig striker will hope to return to the line-up when Michael Carrick’s side travels to Arsenal this Sunday.
Yan Diomande record at 2026 AFCON
The Ivory Coast were defending champions going into the Africa Cup of Nations this year.
After winning Group F in the early stages of the tournament, but they were knocked out by Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Diomande was a regular starter for the Ivory Coast.
The Ivorian winger made five appearances at AFCON, scoring one goal in the round of 16 against Burkina Faso.
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