Real Madrid are reportedly battling it out with Arsenal, Bayern Munich Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain for one of the fastest wingers in European football. A new attacker doesn't seem a neccesity this summer but that hasn't prevented the club from entering the race.
Vinicius Junior has refound form under Alvaro Arbeloa after a difficult period during Xabi Alonso's short-lived reign. The Brazilian winger has starred for Los Blancos ever since arriving back in the summer of 2018.
The 25-year-old's future remains uncertain despite the player making clear publicly that he wants to extend his stay. His current deal is up in the summer of 2027 but his wage demands are complicating negotiations over a renewal.
Real Madrid face heavy competition for pacey winger
It remains to be seen whether or not Madrid's interest in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is due to the uncertainty over Vinicius' future. But the La Liga giants are thought to be among a host of top clubs keeping tabs on the 19-year-old.
Sport BILD reports that Los Blancos are eyeing the Ivorian who only arrived at Leipzig last summer. He has flourished with his pace and silky skillset, bagging eight goals and two assists in 22 games across competitions.
Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG and Bayern are also monitoring Diomande's progress at the Bundesliga club. It's claimed that the Germans consider it "certain" that he will be difficult to keep if one of Europe's richest clubs come calling.
Diomande, dubbed "outstanding" by his club's managing director Marcel Schafer, is a versatile winger who can play on either wing, and he is believed to cost upwards of 60 million euros. Leipzig needs to generate 100 million euros, which makes a potential sale a real possibility.
Madrid's interest makes sense given the club's current transfer strategy of signing the best young talent in the world. But the likelihood of Florentino Perez giving the green light to pay a huge fee for the attacker seems unlikely because of the need to strengthen in other areas of the team.
Diomande admires Madrid's Vinicius and Mbappe
If Madrid do intend to pursue Diomande this summer they could be aided by the player's admiration of attacking duo Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe. He spoke in January about the pair and how he wanted to play like the Brazilian winger.
Diomande told Transfermarkt, "I think Vinicius Junior is the best player in comparison. When it comes to mindset, my role model is Kylian Mbappe. I think you must have a good mentality. I think if your heart and mind are okay, then you will be okay overall. I try to work on that the most."
The Ivorian could be handed the chance to play with two of his heroes if Madrid make a move for him in the summer transfer window. But there is also the prospect of him being the one Los Blancos turn to if Vinicius were to leave.