Yan Diomande has completed a move to Real Madrid, signing a seven-year contract that will keep the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger at the Spanish club until 2033.
The transfer comes after he had been linked with both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Diomande will now continue his development with Real Madrid, where expectations will be considerably higher than at his previous club, Leipzig.
Although he has already played in La Liga during a spell with Las Palmas, joining Real Madrid represents a major test for the teenager. He will be expected to work harder than before if he is to continue improving at one of the biggest clubs in world football. Jose Mourinho is cited as an example of a manager who does not compromise on those standards.
Diomande is one of a number of Ivorian players moving clubs during the summer transfer window, with several high-profile transfers involving clubs in England, Italy and Spain.
Toure and Ousmane Diomande head to England
Bazoumana Toure has also left the Bundesliga, ending his time with Hoffenheim to sign for Newcastle. The 20-year-old forward will experience the Premier League for the first time after completing a move reported to be worth 50m euros.
That fee places Toure among the most expensive Ivorian players in football history. He now faces the challenge of adapting to a competition widely regarded as the best in the world.
Ousmane Diomande is another Ivorian player heading to the Premier League. The 22-year-old central defender has finally left Sporting Lisbon and joined Nottingham Forest in a deal worth 40m euros.
He has signed a contract running until 2030 and will now begin a new chapter in England after his time in Portugal.
Christ Inao Oulai will have to wait longer for a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old midfielder has instead signed a five-year contract with Fiorentina and will continue his career in Serie A.
Oulai previously played for ESTAC Troyes and had been linked with a move to the French champions, but his immediate future will be in Italy.
Uncertainty for Kessie, Doue and Wahi
Franck Kessie was linked with a return to Serie A after leaving Al-Ahli, with Juventus mentioned as a possible destination. That route now appears to have cooled, or even closed, and a possible return to Al-Ahli is being discussed for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winner.
Guela Doue’s future remains unresolved at Strasbourg. The 24-year-old right-back had been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, but that possibility quickly faded. The club is understood to know that Doue does not want to become a substitute, which could hinder his development.
Inter Milan are also interested in Doue, although no club has yet made an offer to Strasbourg.
On the French Riviera, OGC Nice are pushing to sign Elye Wahi permanently. The Ivory Coast striker made a strong impression after arriving at the start of the season and helped the club secure their Ligue 1 survival.
According to Nice-Matin, Eintracht Frankfurt have reduced their asking price for Wahi to 15m euros, increasing the possibility of a permanent deal with OGC Nice.
Oumar Diakite is also expected to leave his current division. The 22-year-old centre-forward remains under contract at Reims until 2028 but is not expected to play in Ligue 2 next season.
He has been linked with a move to Turkey, where Amedspor, newly promoted to the Super Lig, are reportedly ready to sign him.
