RB Leipzig slap massive price tag on teenage star just months after signing him in €20m deal to warn off interest from European giants

Leipzig have placed a staggering €100 million (£86m/$117m) internal price tag on Diomande, sending a clear hands-off warning to Europe’s elite clubs just months after acquiring him for €20m (£17m/$23m). According to a report from Sky Sport, the Bundesliga club have quintupled their valuation of the 18-year-old Ivorian winger following his explosive start to life in Germany and are determined to make him their record transfer if he is to eventually depart.

The decision to internally value Diomande at a nine-figure sum is a strategic move by the Leipzig hierarchy to control the narrative surrounding their prized asset. With the winger already attracting significant attention, the club has set a benchmark designed to deter all but a select few potential buyers, with the report suggesting only the top five clubs in England and Paris Saint-Germain would have the financial capacity to enter a conversation at that price.

Crucially for Leipzig, they hold all the negotiating power. Sky confirms that Diomande’s long-term contract, which runs until June 2030, does not contain a release clause for the summer of 2026. This puts the Red Bulls in a commanding position, able to dictate the terms of any future sale without the risk of a rival activating a pre-agreed fee. The club’s intention is clear: Diomande will not be sold on the cheap, and any departure will be on their terms and for a club-record fee.

Diomande's rapid ascent has justified Leipzig's significant initial investment and their subsequent bold valuation. Described as a "street footballer" who excels in one-on-one situations, the right-footed inverted winger has electrified audiences with his direct running, dribbling ability, and powerful shot. After impressing throughout pre-season, he has seamlessly transitioned into the Bundesliga, making six appearances, including three starts, and accumulating 284 minutes of league action.

While he is yet to register a goal or assist in the league, he opened his account for the club with a goal in his only DFB-Pokal appearance, a clear sign of his attacking threat. His performances have been a mixture of raw talent and fearless attacking intent, regularly taking on multiple defenders and demonstrating the qualities that made him such a sought-after prospect.

The winger's phenomenal club form did not go unnoticed on the international stage, earning him a rapid call-up to the Ivory Coast senior squad. During his presentation at Leipzig, Diomande had expressed a clear ambition, stating, "I dream of wearing the orange jersey of the Ivory Coast one day." He fulfilled that dream in spectacular fashion during the recent international break.

Handed his debut for the African side, Diomande made an immediate and sensational impact. He scored in both of his first two appearances for his country, finding the net against the Seychelles and Kenya in World Cup qualifiers. This instant success at senior international level has only served to further enhance his burgeoning reputation and validate Leipzig's belief that they have a future global superstar on their hands.

The story of Diomande's arrival at Leipzig is a testament to the club's shrewd and aggressive scouting network. Despite having played just 10 senior matches for Spanish side Leganes, he was already on the radar of several top clubs. The Red Bulls' recruitment team acted decisively, reportedly watching every single one of his games live from his third senior appearance onwards.

After having several initial offers rejected by Leganes, who insisted any buyer must meet his release clause, Leipzig faced mounting pressure as more competitors entered the race. Rather than risk losing him, they activated the €20m exit option to secure his signature, beating out several rivals, including some from within the Bundesliga. The move is already looking like a masterstroke, with the club having secured one of Europe's most exciting talents before his value skyrocketed.

The immediate future for Diomande is firmly at the Red Bull Arena. With no release clause and a prohibitive price tag, a move in the next 12 to 18 months appears highly unlikely. The club will focus on continuing his development, integrating him further into the first team, and helping him translate his flair into consistent goals and assists in the Bundesliga and European competition.

For Leipzig, the €100m valuation serves a dual purpose. It protects their asset from being poached prematurely and sets the stage for a future transfer saga that they will completely control. In line with their established business model of developing and selling elite talent for enormous profit, they have successfully positioned Diomande to become their next major success story, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.