Marcel Schäfer reveals how RB Leipzig won race for Yan Diomande | OneFootball

Marcel Schäfer has outlined how RB Leipzig beat strong competition to sign Yan Diomande last summer by identifying him early and moving decisively. The 19-year-old has since delivered seven goals and four assists in 17 games in all competitions.

“We saw the data and immediately knew that we had to take a detailed look at the player, both on video and in live matches, and that’s what we did,” he said, per BuLi News. “Our advantage was that we were there before he had even played 200 minutes in the league.”

Leipzig paid a reported €20 million for Diomande despite only six La Liga starts for Leganés, a price set amid heavy interest. “We were even in touch with Jürgen Klopp and Mario Gomez, who saw the data and video clips, and everybody said ‘go, go, go.’”

Diomande has since been linked with leading European clubs, with suggestions he could be sold for as much as €100 million. With a contract until 2030 and no release clause, Leipzig hold a strong hand. “There isn’t even anyone sitting in the passenger seat. Everyone is sitting in the back seat,” Schäfer said when asked about Leipzig’s position.

Leipzig have also added winger Suleiman Sani from AS Trencin for a reported €5 million, with Schäfer highlighting a similar profile built on speed, power and one-on-one threat. Sani produced three goals and two assists in the Slovakian league before his move. Schäfer believes the right profile can adapt quickly, even when stepping up a level.

Source: BuLi News