Manchester United consider themselves as the frontrunners to secure the signing of RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande during the summer transfer window
12:27, 15 Jul 2026Updated 12:50, 15 Jul 2026
Yan Diomande has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer(Image: Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Manchester United believe they are in ‘pole position’ to sign RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande this summer, it has been claimed.
The 19-year-old winger is one of the most sought-after teenagers in world football, after impressing during a breakthrough 2025/26 season at Leipzig. Indeed, Diomande scored 13 goals and chipped in with 10 assists in 36 appearances as Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga and secured a return to the Champions League.
He then went to the World Cup with Ivory Coast and showed glimpses of quality, providing one assist in four matches, as his nation crashed out at the Round of 32 stage, losing to Norway.
Get YOUR Man United Newsletter
Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News!
To get it, it’s a simple one-two punch.
- Head THIS WAY
- Enter your email and hit Subscribe.
Speculation has since increased around his future with the expectation that Diomande will leave Leipzig this summer. Before the start of the World Cup, it appeared that Liverpool were at the front of the queue to land the forward with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City close behind.
But now, according to German outlet BILD, United feel they are in ‘pole position’ to sign Diomande. Michael Carrick is keen to add more firepower to his forward line and Diomande is considered a top target for the Reds.
Despite this, however, Liverpool, City and PSG remain confident of beating competition from United to land Diomande’s signature and see themselves as fellow frontrunners.
Yan Diomande has been linked with Man United(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Liverpool are the only club to have made an official move for Diomande, but Leipzig turned down a £68million plus a potential £17m in add-ons bid from the Reds. Although it’s reported that several of Diomande’s other suitors are prepared to launch offers, none are willing to spent more than £85m on him.
As Leipzig won’t sell for an offer less than £102m, the club are confident of keeping Diomande this summer and are instead pushing to extend his contract on improved terms. Diomande, meanwhile, is thought to be keen on a move and is said to have given his word to several clubs around joining them.
Diomande was asked about a potential transfer during the World Cup last month and hinted that his future would be resolved following the tournament. Speaking after Ivory Coast’s 2-0 win against Cucacao which sealed their spot in the Round of 32, he said: “I don’t know.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Various Prices
Kitbag
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
“I’m not thinking about my future after the World Cup. I’m trying to put all my energy into the World Cup, and then I’ll see what’s happening after. I can say nothing about that.”
United have made some impressive moves in the transfer market across the last 48 hours, bringing in Andrey Santos in a £48m deal from Chelsea before landing Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans.
Darlow has joined on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United, while Tielemans has made the move to Old Trafford for £36m from Aston Villa. All three add quality, depth and experience to the United squad as the Reds prepare to return to the Champions League following a three-year absence.