Barcelona, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held private talks to sign 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Sacha Tavolieri on Sky Switzerland, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Yan Diomande. While the Reds are “the most persistent in pursuing” the RB Leipzig winger, the other three clubs have “held private meetings with the Maxidel Management agency” to discuss a summer move.
Who is Yan Diomande?
Yan Diomande has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Bundesliga since joining RB Leipzig from CD Leganes this past summer. Born in Abidjan, the Ivorian winger spent most of his formative years thus far in the USA before moving to Spain. However, the 19-year-old’s stint with Leganes ended after only six months, and he has been superb for RB Leipzig.
The Ivory Coast international has been one of the most productive attackers for the Bundesliga club this term, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 23 outings in all competitions thus far. Meanwhile, Diomande’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
A man in demand
Manchester United will dip into the market for a versatile wide attacker this summer. They initially wanted to sign the RB Leipzig winger in the winter transfer window, as Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo were unavailable due to their participation at the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Manchester United can do with more quality on the left flank in the long run after shifting to the 4-2-3-1 formation. So, Diomande has emerged as a long-term target.
Meanwhile, Yan Diomande has been on Liverpool’s wishlist for several weeks. The continued interest makes sense, as the Reds are scouring the market for a versatile wide attacker amid uncertainties surrounding Mohamed Salah’s long-term future. Additionally, Luis Diaz’s departure has affected Liverpool’s output in the final third. So, Diomande is an option worth considering, as he can be a long-term like-for-like replacement for the Colombian international.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, the Lilywhites are still searching for a long-term heir to Son Heung-min’s position despite parting ways with the veteran South Korean attacker several months ago. Additionally, they sold Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace last month. So, Diomande is a viable target for Tottenham.
Meanwhile, it is unclear if Barcelona will complete a permanent move for Marcus Rashford once the loan agreement with Manchester United ends in a few months. So, they are combing the market for a left-sided attacker, with Diomande emerging as a viable target. However, RB Leipzig’s high asking price may pose an issue for Barcelona.
The latest report has revealed that while the Reds are “the most persistent in pursuing” the RB Leipzig winger, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Tottenham have “held private meetings with the Maxidel Management agency” to discuss a summer move. However, a summer move might face complications due to issues surrounding image rights. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international.