Tottenham have been interested in signing the highly-rated RB Leipzig winger.
Tottenham Hotspur are ramping up their efforts to strengthen the squad at Thomas Frank’s disposal.
The need for reinforcements has been amplified by a terrible dip in form over the last two months. The frustrating 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the weekend has left Spurs floundering in 13th spot in the table.
The sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace last week, coupled with Mohammed Kudus apparently suffering a thigh injury against Sunderland, has left the Lilywhites extremely short of options in wide areas. Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Randal Kolo Muani are the only wide options currently at Thomas Frank’s disposal, and none of them are natural right-wingers. This makes it ever so crucial for the club bosses to find a replacement for Johnson as quickly as possible and help out Frank, whose position at the club has come under extreme scrutiny.
Yan Diomande ready to leave RB Leipzig in the winter transfer window
RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has emerged as a target for Tottenham. The 19-year-old has been a revelation in the Bundesliga following his last summer’s move from Spanish side CD Leganes. The Ivory Coast international has already bagged six goals and three assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances, quickly becoming a key cog in the Ole Werner-managed side’s attack. He also shone at the recently-concluded Round of 16 fixture at the AFCON, between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
However, RB Leipzig have no intention to sell Yan Diomande in this ongoing winter transfer window. It would take a mammoth fee to convince RB Leipzig to sell their valuable asset and disrupt their season. However, as per reputable journalist Ben Jacobs, Diomande, currently on AFCON duty, would be open to a mid-season change if an appealing opportunity arises.
“Diomande is open to moving mid-season, but it all depends on Leipzig. And if I were a betting man, I would say this will be one for the summer, but I think Tottenham will have money and they won’t be put off there by a number,” Ben Jacobs said on The Last Word On Spurs podcast.
“It’s just about value for money. Because if you think about the 70 million that they didn’t spend when they wanted to sign Savinho, 35 million nearly brought in for Brennan Johnson and still the urgency to bring in somebody multiple you would say first team players in January. There’s no reason why they wouldn’t spend that money as long as they get value for money.
“So Diomande falls into the category of the ball is in Leipzig’s court, and the player is in AFCON, but Tottenham are serious.”
Tottenham must push for the Ivory Coast winger’s signature
Tottenham are desperately short of attacking quality at the moment. The injury to Kudus has further worsened their situation, just days after Johnson’s move to Selhurst Park. Xavi Simons, completing his three-game suspension, is a boost, but that is not enough for a Tottenham side struggling to create chances and score goals with regularity.
That said, the north Londoners must show their ambition and back Frank wholeheartedly in the winter window by going all out for the exciting Diomande. RB Leipzig are not going to be realistic with the asking price, and that is when Spurs’ negotiating team will be relied upon to crack a fair deal for the teenage sensation.
All in all, a move for Diomande may be pricey, but it will make a lot of sense in the long run as he is definitely a superstar in the making, and bringing the Ivorian in during the mid-season could be the kickstart the Lilywhites needs to push up the table and possibly earn European qualification.
