Leipzig confirms Yan Diomande's absence

Reportedly ill, the Ivorian winger will miss the training camp in Austria amid Real Madrid transfer rumors

Europe Today at 13:30

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Leipzig confirms Yan Diomande's absence

Yan Diomande will not be joining RB Leipzig’s training camp in Austria—a decision that only fuels speculation about his possible move to Real Madrid.

Yan Diomande remains officially under contract with RB Leipzig. Yet his absence from the pre-season camp in Saalfelden comes just as negotiations with Real Madrid are reportedly entering a decisive phase.

🚨💣 BREAKING | Yan Diomande officially reported in sick to RB Leipzig this morning and is therefore not expected to travel with the team to the training camp in Austria today.

Diomande is not in the squad for today’s friendly against SC Verl (as planned).

Diomande wants to… pic.twitter.com/AyxiljMV1I
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 1, 2026

Sky Germany reported that the Ivorian international would not travel to Austria. Leipzig later attributed this decision to an infection. Following the 4-0 win over SC Verl, Martín Demichelis also assured that his player was "genuinely ill". Therefore, this absence does not confirm his departure.

🔴 Leipzig Manager Martin Demichelis, in response to a Sky question about Yan Diomande.

Sky: “Yan Diomande is ill. You fly to the training camp at 5:00 p.m. Is Diomande coming with the team? Is that the plan?”

Martin Demichelis: “I know it’s a big topic. Yan is genuinely ill.… pic.twitter.com/NE54atFbKL
— Philipp Hinze (@philipphinze24) August 1, 2026

An agreement with Real Madrid yet to be finalized

Real Madrid have reportedly made several bids to sign the 19-year-old winger. One offer, believed to be worth €100 million, was rejected by Leipzig, who are said to be demanding at least €120 million—possibly more with bonuses included.

Diomande is thought to have given his preference to the Madrid club. However, no definitive agreement has yet been signed between the two parties. His absence from the camp could allow negotiations to continue without disrupting the German side’s preparations.

Market value estimated at €90 million

Diomande is coming off a remarkable debut season in the Bundesliga. The former Leganés player featured in 33 league matches, netted 12 goals, and provided eight assists in 2,476 minutes of play—directly contributing to a goal roughly every 124 minutes.

His market value is now estimated at €90 million, a dramatic rise from the €20 million mark when he arrived at Leipzig in 2025. The Saxon club could therefore secure a massive profit in just one year.

Having finished third in the last Bundesliga campaign with 65 points, 66 goals scored, and 47 conceded, Leipzig will go straight into the UEFA Champions League group stage. The German club returns to European competition after missing out on all continental tournaments last season.