Journo says there’s ‘more substance’ than fans realise in Man Utd’s pursuit of ‘most gifted player since Haaland’

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Stretty News

·27 febbraio 2026

Journo says there’s ‘more substance’ than fans realise in Man Utd’s pursuit of ‘most gifted player since Haaland’

Manchester United are said to be ‘quite serious’ about signing Yan Diomande, who’s quickly becoming one of the most coveted talents in Europe.

Ben Jacobs confirmed last night via The United Stand that there’s ‘more substance’ in the 19-year-old moving to Old Trafford than there is in Anthony Gordon making the same switch.

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🗣️ @JacobsBen: "Man Utd are quite serious about Yan Diomande. I think, speaking to sources, there's more substance actually in Yan Diomande to Manchester United or possibly Tottenham than there is with Anotony Gordon to Manchester United." [@UnitedStandMUFC] #mufc
– giovedì 26 febbraio 2026

Why United have set their sights on Yan Diomande

(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The Red Devils are actively scouring the market for attacking reinforcements, despite welcoming over £200 million worth of forwards last summer in the form of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

This year, however, they will be facilitating the sales of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund to Barcelona and Napoli, respectively, when their loans expire.

Jadon Sancho will also be departing the club as a free agent upon the end of his deal in June, so the added depth will be necessary, especially if United have Champions League football to account for.

That’s why INEOS have turned their attention to breakout RB Leipzig sensation Diomande.

The youngster is taking Germany by storm in his first season with Die Roten Bullen, having returned a hugely impressive nine goals and seven assists in 25 appearances across all competitions and in just 1,783 minutes of action.

🇨🇮💥 𝐘𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐈𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄́ (𝟏𝟗) vs Bayern Munich yesterday: • MOST DRIBBLES (8) • MOST DUELS WON (13) • MOST FOULED PLAYER (4X) • 86% Pass Accuracy • 100% Successful Take-Ons • 2 Touches In Opposition Box • 2 Clearances • 5 Ball Recoveries 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 🪄
– giovedì 12 febbraio 2026

What’s Leipzig’s stance on Diomande’s future?

(Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Leipzig will do their utmost to keep hold of the starlet for as long as possible. After all, they’ve only had him in their ranks for seven months following his transfer from Leganes in July 2025.

Club chief Marcel Schafer told Kicker: in January, when Diomande was first starting to attract interest across Europe: “It is our aim to keep players with us for longer than just one year, because otherwise you don’t achieve any continuity.”

Meanwhile, one Red Bull figure told Flashscore that the Ivorian is ‘the most gifted player within our system since Erling Haaland.’

Should INEOS look to ignite their pursuit in the coming months, Tottenham Hotspur are expected to try their luck in the race for Diomande’s signature, too, making UCL qualification even more crucial for United when it comes to negotiating with targets.