“No Matter What Price” – Club Chief Sends Strong Message To Man Utd As Future Of £87M Rated Target Is Addressed

BACK David Tully Apr 27th 2026 Red Bull Chief Oliver Mintzlaff has issued a warning to Man Utd and other clubs who are interested in Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. Asked for his thoughts on the 19-year-old’s future, Mintzlaff said he would be tempted to keep hold of the player this summer: “I can say: If I were sporting director, I wouldn’t sell this young player, who hasn’t even completed a full season with us. No matter what price is being asked. I believe he’s a player who can still develop further, because he’s still very young. And he can certainly become more expensive.” Mintzlaff has, though, admitted that there are several teams (including ones in the Premier League) who are keen on signing Diomande, but he would back Leipzig to retain the Ivorian and secure him to a longer contract: “Of course, there are other clubs where players also want to take the next step – FC Bayern is one of them, but also clubs from England and Spain. But we have to expect that a player, even if he delivers outstanding performances here, doesn’t leave again after just one year. Therefore, I can only recommend to the management that they keep this player with us for the coming season. And then we’ll have to see how he develops…” “We want to play in the Champions League. And that’s naturally an argument for such a young player, to then deliver what he’s shown in a second season and potentially develop further, also at an international level. So we have many good arguments. And the best argument is a long-term contract. Therefore, I’m completely relaxed about the whole matter.” Leipzig could offer a sweetener to tempt Diomande into staying The Bundesliga side are said to be looking at ways to keep their forward beyond the end of the season, despite the interest from United, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea and other teams. Including a release clause that can only be triggered next year may be proposed to persuade Diomande into putting pen to paper on a contract extension. Man Utd may look at alternative targets Diomande’s current asking price could reportedly exceed €100m (£87m) even if he doesn’t extend his contract, and that may push the Red Devils towards pursuing other options anyway. AC Milan’s Rafael Leao has been mentioned as a potential target in recent days. The Portuguese international could be on the market for £60m. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is also on the Manchester club’s radar. Want more news on Man Utd? Add Man U News as a preferred source on Google David Tully David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for the Football News Network.