Real Madrid have reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign highly rated Ivorian forward Yan Diomande in a club-record transfer worth up to €135 million (£115.7 million), while also stepping up efforts to keep Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior amid reported interest from Arsenal.
The deal, finalised after weeks of negotiations, will see Madrid pay an initial €125 million, with a further €10 million in performance-related add-ons. The transfer surpasses the fee the Spanish giants paid to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, making Diomande the club’s most expensive signing.
Paris Saint-Germain had also shown interest in the 19-year-old but reportedly withdrew from the race before Madrid sealed the agreement.
Diomande, who joined RB Leipzig from Leganés last summer, impressed during the FIFA World Cup with Côte d’Ivoire and is expected to sign a contract running until 2031.
The transfer will also make him the most expensive African footballer in history, overtaking the £72 million Arsenal paid to sign Nicolas Pépé from Lille in 2019. Leganés are set to receive five per cent of the transfer fee through a sell-on clause.
Despite Diomande’s arrival, Real Madrid insist the move is unrelated to the future of Vinícius Júnior.
The Brazilian winger, whose current contract has less than a year remaining, held fresh talks with Madrid officials on Wednesday over a new deal. The club is understood to have tabled an improved contract closer to the €30 million per season sought by the player’s representatives.
Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in signing the 26-year-old and are said to be willing to pay more than £100 million should negotiations over a contract extension break down.
Speaking earlier this week after returning for pre-season training, Vinícius said new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho had encouraged him to “be happy, cheerful and play my football.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are exploring alternative attacking options should Vinícius remain in Spain.
The Gunners have already agreed a £75 million deal for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães and continue to monitor other targets, including Atlético Madrid striker Julián Alvarez and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Barcelona are also reportedly in discussions with Atlético Madrid over a possible move for Alvarez as competition intensifies for the Argentine forward.
