Real Madrid reaches agreement for Yan Diomande; Liverpool explores Mbaye move
Real Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with RB Leipzig for the transfer of Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from Ivory Coast. The deal is valued at up to 140m euros (£120m), following extensive negotiations. This agreement was finalised on Wednesday afternoon, after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from the bidding process. The Spanish club is expected to pay an initial €125m, with an additional €10m in add-ons, making the total potentially €135m (£115.7m). This fee would surpass the amount paid for Jude Bellingham in 2023, which was reportedly up to €134m including add-ons. Diomande, who previously played for Leganés, made 10 appearances for their first team before moving to Leipzig for €20m (£17.4m). He is anticipated to sign a contract until 2031 and could become the most expensive African player in history, exceeding the £72m paid for Nicolas Pépé in 2019.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is exploring a potential move for Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old winger from Paris St-Germain and Senegal. Liverpool has also been linked with a possible transfer for Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, who is 23. Asencio, a Spanish international, was reportedly informed that he could leave the La Liga club this summer.
Other transfer developments
Aston Villa has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri, who is 24. Additionally, Aston Villa is preparing for a new bid from Arsenal for England defender Ezri Konsa, 28, as they work to agree on a new contract to keep him at Villa Park. Fulham is reportedly close to signing Southampton and Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who is valued at £30m.
In other news, Trabzonspor is working to bring together Uruguay and Al-Hilal forward Darwin Nunez, 27, with his former Liverpool teammate, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, 34, at the Turkish club. Hamburg has shown interest in bringing Belgian Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, 27, back to the Bundesliga.
Potential Real Madrid player movements
Real Madrid could make two players, French midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni, 26, and Eduardo Camavinga, 23, available. Both players are reportedly targets for Manchester United. This potential move is aimed at freeing up funds for Real Madrid to sign 30-year-old Spain midfielder Rodri from Manchester City.
The impending arrival of Diomande is not expected to influence whether Vinícius Júnior stays in the Spanish capital. Vinícius and his representatives, Roc Nation, held discussions with Real Madrid officials on Wednesday regarding a contract extension. Arsenal is reportedly prepared to offer more than £100m for the 26-year-old, who has less than a year remaining on his current contract. Despite some reports suggesting Vinícius rejected Madrid’s latest offer, he is understood to be considering an improved deal closer to the €30m a season he requested, following what have been described as positive talks.
Vinícius stated on Tuesday that Real Madrid’s new manager, José Mourinho, wants him to be “happy, cheerful and playing my football” after his return to pre-season training following the World Cup. Arsenal, having already agreed a £75m deal to sign his Brazil teammate Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle, is believed to be exploring other attacking options should Vinícius choose to renew his contract with Real Madrid. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, held talks with Atlético Madrid regarding Julián Alvarez on Wednesday, aiming to secure a deal for the Argentina forward. Arsenal is also hopeful that the 26-year-old could still be persuaded to join them. Arsenal, who missed out on Morgan Rogers last month when the England forward joined Chelsea for a British record fee of £117m, has also been linked with PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who is wanted by Liverpool and is valued at around £145m by the European champions.
Source: bbc.com
