Audio By Carbonatix
Real Madrid have signed Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee worth up to £120m (140m euros).
The 19-year-old winger has signed a seven-year contract and his price tag could surpass the £115m (133.9m euros) Real agreed to pay Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in June 2023.
Paris St-Germain had been frontrunners for the teenager, but the Champions League winners pulled out of a potential move on Sunday after a £102.5m bid was rejected.
If Real end up paying the full £120m for Diomande, he would become the fourth most expensive player in history, behind PSG's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and Liverpool's former Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
Diomande is also the most expensive African player, surpassing the £72m Arsenal paid Lille for fellow Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Diomande was previously a target for Liverpool, who had an initial bid of £69m rejected in June, as they search for a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on Thursday.
Diomande is Real's sixth summer signing under new head coach Jose Mourinho, joining Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi.
In a statement, the teenager thanked Leipzig fans for their "incredible support", and said: "Who knows? Maybe we'll meet again one day in the Champions League."
But he said the move to Madrid "is a childhood dream come true", adding: "I am all the more grateful to the management at RB Leipzig for making this move possible despite my current contract."
He was named the Bundesliga's Young Player of the Season for 2025-26, having scored 12 goals and registered eight assists in the competition.
He appeared in all four of Ivory Coast's World Cup games as they were eliminated in the round of 32 by Norway.
Diomande moved from his native Ivory Coast to an academy in the United States before joining Spanish side Leganes in 2025 and then Leipzig later that year.
Why have Real Madrid signed the teenager?
By Elizabeth Conway
Spanish football reporter
Real Madrid's move for Diomande reflects the club's commitment to signing elite young talents before they reach their peak.
At just 19 years old, the Ivorian winger has become one of the game's most exciting prospects thanks to his explosive pace, dribbling, creativity and attacking impact.
After scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists across all competitions in his first full season in Europe with Leipzig, Diomande attracted interest from several major clubs.
One of Diomande's biggest strengths is his versatility. Comfortable on either wing, he can create chances, beat defenders one-on-one, is a skillful dribbler and can contribute goals.
From the left, he can cut inside on to his right foot and threaten goal, while from the right he can use his pace and crossing ability to create opportunities for team-mates.
This flexibility makes him a strong fit for Real Madrid, who have been searching for greater consistency in the right-wing position.
The 120m euros fee shows how highly Real Madrid rate Diomande's potential, and they believe he has the ability to become a key player for the future.
Diomande formed a strong partnership with right-back Ridle Baku at Leipzig, and his attacking threat could be enhanced further by linking up with creative and experienced full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cucurella at Real.
Latest Stories
-
Oil extends losses on hopes for Middle East talks to ease supply woes
6 minutes -
Gov’t must put its skin in the game – Chamber of Mines demands tax, power relief for local gold refining
13 minutes -
I was suspended for defending NPP constitution, not opposing Akufo-Addo – Sammy Crabbe
24 minutes -
NPP suffered serious systemic failure in 2024 polls – Sammy Crabbe
30 minutes -
AMA arrests six drivers, mates over alleged overcharging of passengers
33 minutes -
NDC activist backs Sammy Gyamfi, calls for facts in GoldBod $1.7bn debate
36 minutes -
‘Don’t exclude us, then blame us for indiscipline’ – Catholic Bishops on GES Council removal
40 minutes -
Minority accuses Majority of wasting parliamentary time after emergency recall
45 minutes -
Catholic Bishops warn galamsey becoming source of employment for Ghanaian youth
50 minutes -
Can we give refineries more cheap power? – Chamber of Mines pushes energy solution for local gold refining
52 minutes -
Parliament to vet Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Mahama Ayariga today
52 minutes -
Presby Moderator urges government to show political will to end galamsey
58 minutes -
Lower Manya Assembly supports PwDs with livelihood items
1 hour -
Legislation to regulate EV charging in the offing – Energy Minister
1 hour -
Audit Committees inaugurated to strengthen accountability at MMDAs
1 hour