RB Leipzig hit the jackpot. After long weeks of discussions and negotiations, the German team yesterday sold Yan Diomandé to Real Madrid for an amount of €140 million. In detail, the Bundesliga team will receive a fixed €125 million, to which must be added €15 million in bonuses, 10 of which are easily attainable. This is the biggest sale in the history of Leipzig, who remember bought the Ivorian for only €20 million a year before from Leganés. The added value is therefore exceptional in one year. But the German club is used to selling its best talents at a high price, as recalled A.S. this Friday.
Before Diomandé, the RBL’s biggest sale was Josko Gvardiol. In 2023, Manchester City spent €90 million to dislodge the Croatian. Benjamon Sesko has taken the path of Manchester United. The Red Devils put €76.5 million on the table to snatch it from the German club a year ago. English clubs are crazy about Leipzig’s talents. Liverpool did not hesitate to drop €70 million for Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai. It should be noted that €36 million arrived in the pocket of RB Salzburg, his former club which belongs to the Red Bull group. The money therefore stays in the family. The Reds also paid €60 million for Naby Keïta. Still in the Premier League, Tottenham spent €65 million to sign Xavi Simons last summer.
Leipzig sells its players at a high price
A few years before, it was Chelsea who paid €60 million for Christopher Nkunku. Often injured, Frenchy did not succeed in London. The Blues also broke the bank for Timo Werner. They had spent €53 million on the German striker, who didn’t really shine. Loïs Openda cost €42.75 million last year to Juventus, who regret his investment. The Belgian player has already left on loan to OL. FC Barcelona cannot say the same for Dani Olmo, purchased for €55 million without counting bonuses. The Spaniard fully satisfied the Culés.
Ditto for Dayot Upamecano, one of the captains of Bayern Munich and the Blues. In 2022, the Bavarians bought it for €42.5 million. An ultimately low price when we know that the defender is currently estimated at €75 million per transfermarkt. His compatriot, Ibrahima Konaté, was bought for €40 million by Liverpool. Still in defense, Mohamed Simakan was sold for €35 million to Al-Nassr. In recent years, Leipzig has lined its pockets. More than €500 million was raised according to A.S. thanks to the sales mentioned and others. The transfer of Yan Diomandé is the culmination of the strategy carried out by the Germans, who sell their players at a high price before reinvesting in other talents.
