Yan Diomande has returned to pre-season training with his RB Leipzig team-mates following a bout of illness, with his big-money transfer to Real Madrid yet to be finalised.

Diomande emerged as a top target for several of Europe's biggest clubs after a breakout campaign in 2025-26, when Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga.

The 19-year-old contributed to 22 goals in 36 games across all competitions for Leipzig last season (13 goals, nine assists). 

In the German top flight, he led all players for successful dribbles (118) and take-on ending carries (104), and he then carried that form into the World Cup with Ivory Coast, producing some lively displays as they finished second in Group E but lost to Norway in the last 32.

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain were the first clubs to be linked with Diomande, but both have now turned their attention to other targets.

The Reds are keen on signing PSG's Bradley Barcola, while the French champions released a statement last week confirming they would not meet Leipzig's asking price for Diomande.

The winger missed Leipzig's 4-0 friendly win over SC Verl on Saturday, and though head coach Martin Demichelis put his absence down to illness, that did not stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive.

Reports last week had already suggested Madrid had agreed personal terms with Diomande, and on Wednesday, it was claimed a deal was close to being finalised between the clubs.

However, Diomande returned to training with his team-mates in Austria, with Leipzig's social media accounts welcoming him back to their camp.

It is believed that the fee for Diomande could be between €130m and €140m, should Madrid clinch a deal.

At the World Cup, Diomande became only the second African player on record (from 1966 onwards) to complete 10+ dribbles (10) and create 10+ chances (10) in a single group-stage campaign at the competition, after South Africa's Quinton Fortune in 2002. 

It remains to be seen whether a move for Diomande would affect Madrid's plans regarding Vinicius Junior, who has been linked with Arsenal.

The Brazilian said on Tuesday that he is focused on impressing Jose Mourinho ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, though reports have suggested he is open to joining the Premier League champions.