Manchester United's midfield priority cools pursuit of Leipzig's Diomande
Manchester United's pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande has reportedly cooled as the club's new hierarchy prioritises strengthening its midfield this summer. According to a report from German publication BILD, the trail to Old Trafford for the highly-rated Ivorian has grown cold because INEOS, the club's new ownership group, views finding a replacement for Casemiro as its primary transfer objective. This shift in focus could benefit rivals Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, who remain actively interested in the 19-year-old.
Diomande has emerged as one of European football's most exciting prospects this season following a €20 million move from Spanish second-tier side Leganes last summer. The winger has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions for Leipzig, earning a call-up to the Ivory Coast national team and establishing himself as a potential star for this summer's World Cup. His explosive form and long-term potential have attracted attention from several elite clubs, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and PSG all linked in recent months.
The player's future has been a subject of intense speculation, with his representatives at Roc Nation, the agency founded by Jay-Z, reportedly holding face-to-face meetings with both Liverpool and PSG. Leipzig are keen to retain Diomande for at least another season and have reportedly offered him an improved contract in an attempt to emulate their successful retention of Benjamin Sesko in 2024. However, BILD states that Diomande will not entertain extension talks until the summer, leaving the door open for a transfer.
A significant factor in any deal will be Leipzig's reported €100 million valuation of the player. The German club has not received any formal offers yet, and the report suggests a scenario where a buying club could sign Diomande and immediately loan him back to Leipzig for the 2026-27 season is possible, particularly for a club like PSG which already possesses significant attacking depth. For Liverpool, however, such an arrangement appears less feasible given their pressing need for wide reinforcements following Mohamed Salah's departure and mixed form from other attackers like Cody Gakpo.
For Manchester United, the apparent deprioritisation of a move for Diomande underscores the strategic influence of INEOS in reshaping the squad. While the club is still expected to seek a winger, the immediate allocation of resources is being directed toward central midfield. This development alters the landscape of the race for one of the market's most coveted young talents, potentially clearing a path for Liverpool or PSG to make a decisive move in the coming months.
