Real Madrid prioritise €100m move for Leipzig teenager Diomande as Olise pursuit stalls

Real Madrid have stepped up their push to sign RB Leipzig teenager Yaya Diomande in a deal that could reach or exceed €100m, while insisting their long-term interest in Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise remains intact.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder has emerged as Real’s leading realistic target for this summer after Bayern made clear they are unwilling to entertain offers for Olise in the current transfer window, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Olise, 24, is understood to remain at the top of president Florentino Perez’s wish list, and Real were prepared to commit more than €200m to secure his signing. However, senior figures at Valdebebas have become convinced that Bayern will not part with the player in the short term, forcing the European champions to adjust their strategy.

Diomande becomes primary target

In response, Real have redirected their efforts towards Diomande, a player they have been monitoring for a considerable period.

The Leipzig midfielder had been widely tipped to join Paris Saint-Germain, with reports suggesting negotiations were at an advanced stage. But Real’s late intervention has complicated PSG’s plans and significantly altered the picture surrounding the player’s future.

Mundo Deportivo reports that the move from the Spanish giants has been persuasive enough for Diomande to give an initial green light to a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, signalling his preference for a switch to the Spanish capital should the clubs reach an agreement.

Real’s growing confidence in landing Diomande is based on the belief that, unlike Bayern with Olise, Leipzig may ultimately be willing to negotiate if the financial package is sufficiently attractive, even at a price that could hit or surpass €100m.

Olise talks on hold, not abandoned

Despite the shift in focus, Real Madrid have not closed the door on Olise.

The club have opted to freeze discussions over the Bayern forward for now, rather than abandon the pursuit entirely, and are maintaining a watching brief on the situation in Munich.

Officials at Valdebebas remain alert to any sign that Bayern’s stance might soften, and are prepared to re-enter talks immediately if the German champions indicate a willingness to negotiate.

Inside the club, the prevailing view is that the realistic opportunity to sign Olise is more likely to emerge next summer than in the current window, given Bayern’s determination to keep hold of one of their key attacking players.

For the moment, that assessment has pushed Diomande to the forefront of Real Madrid’s recruitment plans, with the Spanish champions attempting to move quickly to secure one of Europe’s most highly rated young midfield talents while keeping their long-term ambitions for Olise firmly in place.