Manchester City appear to have moved on from Yan Diomande. The Blues were among several clubs to check on the RB Leipzig winger in recent weeks, but reports indicate that both City and Arsenal have since gone quiet.
Real Madrid are now the odds-on favourites to secure the 19-year-old, with one bookmaker pricing them at 1/2 to complete the deal. Diomande enjoyed a strong season in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances for Leipzig. The Ivory Coast international has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and PSG, but it is Madrid who have opened club-to-club talks.
Liverpool were once favourites but have drifted to 9/1. City are also at 9/1, while Arsenal are out at 16/1. PSG, despite agreeing personal terms with Diomande in June, are now at 7/2 – largely because the player has only opened the door to Real Madrid since that agreement. The saga is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
City turn attention to Ibrahim Mbaye?
While the Diomande chase heads towards the Bernabéu, a separate name has emerged. City are reportedly in the race for PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old who scored three goals and provided two assists last season. Mbaye is pushing for an exit despite his contract running until 2028.
Former senior Aston Villa scout Bryan King told Football Insider that City are the favourites to sign the Senegal international, ahead of reported interest from Villa.
Whether City accelerate that pursuit or look elsewhere remains to be seen, but the message from the Diomande camp is clear: this one is heading to Madrid.