Real Madrid have submitted an increased offer worth up to €120m for RB Leipzig’s highly rated teenager Yan Diomande as they push to complete a deal in the coming days, according to reports in Spain.
The European champions saw an initial €100m bid turned down and have now returned with a revised proposal in the region of €115m to €120m for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger, Spanish outlet Diario AS reports.
If the transfer is agreed at those figures, Real Madrid would move ahead of major rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign one of Europe’s most sought-after young players.
Spanish newspaper Marca says Real Madrid have already reached a contractual agreement with Diomande, clearing a significant hurdle in negotiations and leaving talks with RB Leipzig as the final major step.
The Madrid hierarchy have travelled to Germany to accelerate discussions with the Bundesliga club and are aiming to close the deal as quickly as possible.
Their intention, according to the reports, is to avoid a bidding war, particularly from PSG and leading Premier League sides, who have been monitoring the situation and could yet attempt to outbid the Spanish club.
Real’s strategy to beat European rivals
The move to send representatives directly to Germany underlines Real Madrid’s urgency to secure Diomande and prevent the transfer fee from escalating any further.
By pushing to finalise an agreement now, Real Madrid hope to shut the door on late interventions from Manchester City, Liverpool or PSG, all of whom have been credited with strong interest in the RB Leipzig forward.
Diomande, described in Spain as a “young pearl” of Ivorian football, has emerged as a priority target for Real Madrid, who see him as a long-term investment and a key part of their next generation of attacking talent.
With personal terms said to be in place and the player having given his approval to the move, the negotiations are now focused on finding a fee that satisfies RB Leipzig, who have already demonstrated their willingness to reject a nine-figure bid.
Record-level investment for a teenager
A package in the €115m-€120m range would represent one of the biggest outlays in Real Madrid’s history and underline the scale of their belief in Diomande’s potential.
The Spanish giants, fresh from another Champions League triumph, have made a habit of signing emerging stars at a young age, and the pursuit of the Ivory Coast international fits that established recruitment strategy.
Real Madrid’s leadership are determined to conclude the talks swiftly, conscious that any delay could invite improved offers from their wealthy competitors in Paris and England.
For now, though, Real Madrid are considered to be in a commanding position, having secured Diomande’s consent and tabled a second, significantly higher offer as they try to prise him away from RB Leipzig.
