Leipzig’s surprise: Diomande joins Austrian camp amid €120m price tag

Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande, whose move to Real Madrid has been considered certain, joined RB Leipzig’s preseason camp in Saalfelden, Austria, on Wednesday, with the German side demanding €120 million plus variables for his transfer, the report noted at 12:29 CEST.

Diomande initially did not travel with the squad to Austria, citing an illness, a claim that many media outlets interpreted as a pretext amid alleged negotiations between Leipzig and the Spanish club. His coach, the Argentine Martín Demichelis, also referred to the player's physical condition to explain why he had not featured in a friendly that weekend.

"After overcoming an infection Yan Diomande has returned to training", the RB Leipzig X account posted, accompanied by a photograph of the defender.

Leipzig have set a price of €120 million plus variables for the transfer. German media report that the latest offer from Real Madrid had not reached that level.

German journalists have praised Diomande's conduct, saying it shows the player wants to act correctly toward the German side in the final phase of negotiations. Nevertheless, a move to Real Madrid is still regarded as highly probable.

The story appeared under the byline DiomandeMAJA on HITIJMUNDODEPORTIVO.COM, which described the player as El international. The update was posted at 12:29 CEST.