Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has personally pushed the club to intensify their pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, despite strong interest from Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool and an initial bid being rejected.
The Spanish giants have already lodged an opening offer worth €90m plus a further €10m in add-ons for the Ivory Coast international, but Leipzig turned it down, with the 21-year-old attracting attention from several major European clubs.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that Manchester City and Arsenal held direct talks with Diomande in recent days. However, the Leipzig forward has so far shown no willingness to commit to either Premier League side.
Mourinho gives green light to push on
According to Romano, Mourinho has moved decisively in recent days, giving Real Madrid’s hierarchy the green light to step up negotiations for Diomande, even after the German club rejected their first proposal.
The Portuguese manager is understood to be a strong admirer of the Leipzig winger and has intervened “forcefully” in the process, urging the club to continue their efforts to reach an agreement this summer.
Mourinho’s stance comes despite Real Madrid already boasting one of the most high-profile attacking units in world football, including Brazil internationals Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, new signing Kylian Mbappe of France, and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.
Need for more pace in attack
The 61-year-old believes his forward line still requires additional speed and energy, and sees Diomande as the ideal profile to inject more dynamism into Real Madrid’s attacking options.
The Ivorian, who operates primarily as a winger, is regarded as one of the standout young wide players in the Bundesliga and has quickly emerged as a major target for several elite clubs ahead of the current transfer window.
Liverpool bid also rejected
Liverpool are also understood to have tested Leipzig’s resolve. The Premier League club submitted a proposal matching Real Madrid’s initial package of €90m plus €10m in bonuses, but that offer was likewise turned down by the German side.
Reports in Europe have suggested that Diomande may already have a verbal understanding with Paris Saint-Germain. However, there has been no official move or formal approach from the French champions so far, and PSG have not publicly entered the race.
Leipzig, for their part, have maintained a firm stance over the valuation of one of their prized assets, rejecting significant offers as interest intensifies from Spain and England.
With Real Madrid encouraged by Mourinho to return to the table, Manchester City and Arsenal having made contact but failed to persuade the player, and Liverpool’s opening bid also declined, Diomande’s future remains unresolved as the summer window progresses.
