Real Madrid agree deal for €140m RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026 - 15:18

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Real Madrid have agreed a €140 million deal with RB Leipzig for teenage Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande, the Press Association understands.

Diomande’s rapid rise for Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season led to a host of Europe’s top clubs queuing up to buy him and Real appear to have won the race for his signature after tabling a fee of €125m plus roughly €15m in add-ons.

Diomande will become the most expensive African footballer ever should the deal be completed.

Inside view of the Bernabeu Stadium — Yan Diomande appears to be heading to the Bernabeu Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)

Paris St Germain pulled out of the race to sign him last month, leaving the way clear for Madrid to close in on the 19-year-old, who scored 13 goals and made 10 assists for Leipzig during the 2025-26 campaign.

Diomande’s extraordinary progress is a classic rags-to-riches story. He had trials with Chelsea, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Rangers before being offered a contract with Spanish side Leganes in March 2025.

He made just 10 appearances for Leganes, scoring two goals, before Leipzig signed him for a reported £20m the following July, while he started all four games for the Ivory Coast as they reached the last 32 at this summer’s World Cup.