The two clubs have reportedly entered the final stages of discussions, with the Spanish giants prepared to pay between €130 million and €140 million to secure the Ivorian winger. If finalized, this would make Diomande the second-most expensive Bundesliga transfer ever, trailing only Ousmane Dembélé’s €148 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona.

From uncertainty to near-certainty: the Diomande transfer saga

Just days ago, the transfer was valued at around €120 million, but the asking price has since surged. While some transfer experts, including Fabrizio Romano, declared the deal “done” over a week ago, club officials have remained cautious. Marcel Schäfer, Sporting Director of RB Leipzig, emphasized on Tuesday that nothing is final yet. “We’ll announce something when we have something to announce. Many factors are still in play,” he stated.

Medical diplomacy and contractual complexities

Diomande’s arrival at Leipzig’s training camp in Austria last week marked a critical moment. The 19-year-old had initially missed the squad’s departure due to illness but arrived after recovering from an infection. Real Madrid had hoped to bring him directly to Madrid for medical examinations, but the prolonged negotiations with Leipzig delayed that plan. Schäfer acknowledged the complexities, noting that multiple stakeholders—including Diomande’s former and current agencies—are involved, with Maxidel Management potentially still claiming transfer rights.

If the deal goes through, FIFA may need to intervene to resolve the dispute between the agencies. Diomande’s rise has been meteoric: he joined Leipzig from Leganés in summer 2025 for €20 million—after just 10 official appearances—before delivering 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 matches last season.

Premier League and Ligue 1 suitors left behind

Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich were among the clubs that showed early interest in Diomande, but Real Madrid’s pursuit has intensified. The Spanish club appears unfazed by the possibility of further complications, signaling confidence in finalizing the deal.