by Massimo Franchi
It was German “super coach” Jürgen Klopp, who has been serving as the Red Bull Group’s “Global Head of Soccer” since October 2024, who pushed for his signing last summer from Spanish club CD Leganés for €20 million. Klopp was convinced that Yan Diomandé would explode onto the scene in RB Leipzig colours — and that prediction has already proved remarkably accurate.
The evidence? Liverpool FC have reportedly submitted a €100 million offer (€80 million plus €20 million in bonuses) for the 19-year-old Ivorian winger. The bid was rejected immediately. Not even Liverpool, the club where Klopp spent nine seasons and won every major trophy, were able to secure a discount. Leipzig’s valuation is clear: €130 million for the Abidjan-born wonderkid.
Diomandé announced himself on the North American World Cup stage by winning the ‘FIFA Man of the Match award’ after Ivory Coast national football team’s 1–0 victory over Ecuador national football team in Philadelphia. The Elephants, coached by Faé, secured the win thanks to Diallo’s late strike, but Diomandé was the player who stole the spotlight. His explosive acceleration and fearless attacking runs caused constant problems for the South American defence.
“We did not come here just to participate,” the forward said. “We came here to make history and leave our mark. Thank you for the support, thank you to everyone who came to the stadium. We will give everything we have to go as far as possible.”
A dynamic and unpredictable attacker, already compared to Ousmane Dembélé by the German media, Diomandé enjoyed a sensational first season with Leipzig, finishing the campaign with 12 goals and 8 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances.
During the latest Africa Cup of Nations 2023, he featured in five matches as Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Egypt in a dramatic 3–2 defeat in Agadir.
Diomandé is also among the leading contenders for the Golden Boy 2026 award, alongside Moroccan midfielder Bouaddi. In the first ranking of the 100 nominees released last month, he immediately climbed to fourth place in the Index — effectively third, since current leader Lamine Yamal is no longer eligible to win the award again after claiming it previously.
The other two podium places are currently occupied by Warren Zaïre-Emery and Pau Cubarsí.
Born on the outskirts of Abidjan, Diomandé experienced hardship from an early age. He lost a sister he was deeply attached to and grew up with his mother after his father left the family before he ever had the chance to know him.
At just 15 years old, he moved alone to the United States, where he learned English online and earned a place at a football academy in Florida. He joined the Hornets of Yulee High School, in Nassau County, not far from Jacksonville, before moving on to DME Academy in Daytona Beach.
Playing in the fourth tier of the American football system, Diomandé quickly became the standout player of the tournament. European scouts soon began following his progress.
A trial with the Rangers FC was arranged, but the move collapsed at the final stage due to an agent demanding excessive commissions. Instead, his career path led him to Leganés, in the Madrid metropolitan area.
After turning 18, Diomandé needed just two months to move from the club’s reserve side to the first team. His professional debut could hardly have been more dramatic: he stepped onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium against Real Madrid CF, in a match the “Galácticos” won 3–2.
At Leipzig, he has earned the nickname “The German” thanks to his discipline, professionalism and punctuality in training. Early in his time at the club, he made a few mistakes, but Klopp quickly called him into his office. The message was clear and the lesson was learned immediately.
