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Real Madrid set to reach agreement for Arsenal target

Real Madrid are expected to reach an agreement to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig soon, with Paris Saint-Germain withdrawing from the race.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 17: Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München at Red Bull Arena on January 17, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Real Madrid are expected to reach an agreement to sign Arsenal-linked Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, with Paris Saint-Germain withdrawing from negotiations.

Real Madrid’s first bid was rejected 10 days ago, and their second bid of €100m fixed with €20m in add-ons is also expected to be turned down. But there is reportedly now confidence on all sides that a deal will be struck.

PSG aren’t prepared to meet RB Leipzig’s asking price, nor the player’s salary demands, and Diomande has made Madrid his preference for a summer move.

rb leipzig v sport club freiburg bundesliga
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Manchester City and Arsenal have both gone quiet in their pursuit of Diomande, after making calls to assess the situation.

One potential positive of Arsenal missing out on Diomande is that it could make Real Madrid a little more open to letting go of Vinicius Junior this summer, though Sky Sports News aren’t so sure.

Lyall Thomas, Gary Cotterill, and Mark McAdam report that the proposed deal to sign Diomande has no bearing on Vinicius’ situation.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 11: Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the DFB Cup Quarter Final match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 11, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

One thing that is clear is that Diomande won’t be moving to Arsenal, crossing another name of the club’s summer shortlist.

Diomande scored 13 goals and assisted another 10 in his 36 appearances for Leipzig last season, which was his first campaign with the German club.

The teenager then went to the World Cup with Cote d’Ivoire and assisted one goal in four games, before their elimination by Norway in the round-of-32.

BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 12: Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig looks on during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and RB Leipzig at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei on December 12, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images
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