Real Madrid has finalized a historic agreement with RB Leipzig, securing Yan Diomande for a record fee of €135 million (£115.7 million). The Spanish club is optimistic about retaining Vinícius Júnior amid Arsenal’s pursuit, having presented the Brazilian winger with an enhanced contract offer.
After weeks of discussions, which included Paris Saint-Germain withdrawing from the competition, the transfer for Diomande, a 19-year-old talent who impressed during the World Cup representing Côte d’Ivoire, was concluded on Wednesday afternoon. The deal includes an upfront payment of €125 million, with an additional €10 million contingent on performance, surpassing the fee of approximately €134 million that Real Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023, including add-ons.
Leganés, Diomande’s former club, is entitled to a 5% sell-on fee from any transfer. Before his move to Leipzig for €20 million (£17.4 million), the young player made just 10 appearances for Leganés’ first team. Diomande, who was seen arriving at Leipzig’s pre-season training camp in Austria on Wednesday, is expected to sign a contract lasting until 2031, making him the most expensive African player ever, surpassing the £72 million Arsenal paid for Nicolas Pépé in 2019.
His arrival is not expected to influence the future of Vinícius in Madrid. The Brazilian and his agents from Roc Nation discussed a potential contract extension with Madrid officials on Wednesday, while Arsenal remains poised to act should he choose to leave.
Mikel Arteta’s team is reportedly prepared to offer over £100 million for the 26-year-old, who has less than a year left on his current contract. Despite some claims that Vinícius had turned down Madrid’s latest proposal, sources indicate he is now considering a revised offer that approaches his request of €30 million annually. Vinícius mentioned on Tuesday that Madrid’s new head coach, José Mourinho, aims for him to feel “happy, cheerful, and playing my football” as he returns for pre-season training following the World Cup.
In addition, Arsenal has reached an agreement for a £75 million transfer of his Brazilian teammate Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle and is exploring other attacking options should Vinícius decide to stay with Madrid.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, engaged in discussions with Atlético Madrid regarding Julián Alvarez on Wednesday, aiming to secure the Argentine forward, while Arsenal hopes to attract the 26-year-old to their squad.
Arsenal, who recently lost out on Morgan Rogers when he signed with Chelsea for a record £117 million, is also considering a move for PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who is in demand by Liverpool and valued at around £145 million by the European champions.
