RB Leipzig have identified Strasbourg winger Diego Moreira as the preferred replacement for Diomande, who completed a move to Real Madrid last week.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Leipzig have reached an agreement in principle with the 21-year-old Belgian international over a potential transfer. However, negotiations between the clubs have not yet been completed, with the difference in their valuations of the player currently the main barrier to a deal.
There is also reported to be a substantial gap between the salary demands of Moreira and what Leipzig are prepared to offer. Those differences mean an agreement is considered unlikely in the short term.
Foot Mercato did not publish specific figures for either the transfer fee or the proposed wages. In particular, the report did not state the maximum amount RB Leipzig would be willing to pay Strasbourg for Moreira.
The Bundesliga club are believed to view Moreira as a direct replacement for Diomande in their squad. Diomande’s departure to Real Madrid was confirmed last week in a deal reported to be worth a record €125m.
That transfer includes a contract running until 2033. The overall value of the move could increase to €140m if the relevant performance-related bonuses are achieved.
Moreira, who is 21, is currently with Strasbourg. His possible move to Saxony is dependent on Leipzig and the French club narrowing the gap over both the transfer fee and the player’s personal terms.
For now, no agreement has been reached between the two clubs, despite Leipzig having made progress in discussions with Moreira himself.
The report does not indicate when negotiations might resume or whether either side is prepared to change its position. The outstanding financial differences remain the central issue in the proposed transfer.
The interest in Moreira follows the high-profile departure of Diomande, whose move to Real Madrid has left Leipzig looking for a replacement. In Saxony, Moreira is being considered for that role, although the size of the fee and the salary package continue to make a short-term agreement difficult.
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