The summer transfer window could witness one of its most significant moves as rising star Yan Diomandé, a standout performer for Côte d’Ivoire at the 2026 World Cup, appears increasingly poised for a switch to Paris Saint-Germain. To finalize this high-profile deal, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is expected to leverage his extensive network and influence.
Paris Saint-Germain has significantly intensified its activity in the transfer market. With the anticipated departures of Gonçalo Ramos, reportedly heading to AC Milan, and Lee Kang-In, who is nearing an agreement with Atlético de Madrid, the Parisian club has ramped up efforts on several key targets. These include Maghnes Akliouche from AS Monaco and, more recently, Yan Diomandé of RB Leipzig. Despite being a top priority for Liverpool, the Ivorian winger, whose stellar performances have lit up the 2026 World Cup, has reportedly made the decision to join PSG.
Al-Khelaïfi’s close ties with RB Leipzig’s president
The next crucial step involves persuading RB Leipzig to part ways with their highly-rated talent. This is where Nasser Al-Khelaïfi takes center stage. It is understood that the PSG president is personally overseeing the financial negotiations for incoming transfers. His strong rapport with Oliver Mintzlaff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at RB Leipzig, is expected to be a significant advantage. Mintzlaff is a board member of the European Football Club (EFC), an organization chaired by Al-Khelaïfi himself. This connection positions the Qatari executive to secure the most favorable terms for Yan Diomandé, especially as PSG is committed to avoiding inflated player valuations. Notably, Liverpool previously saw two bids exceeding €100 million rejected for the player. Beyond his personal connections, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi also plans to leverage the player’s clear desire to join PSG to sway RB Leipzig.
Is Yan Diomandé set to fulfill his father’s dream?
Indeed, Yan Diomandé himself previously acknowledged PSG‘s interest during a press conference, indicating his openness to the move. “My future? I have a team managing that. I’m trying to stay as focused as possible. I’ve loved PSG since I was a child. I believe my father was a PSG supporter. But I’m not looking too far ahead; I’m staying focused on the World Cup. We’ll see what happens next,” he stated ahead of a friendly match between France and Côte d’Ivoire, prior to the World Cup tournament.
