Tottenham have learned that signing the winger would require an £87 million fee, despite already holding advanced discussions over the deal.

Yan Diomande has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards since RB Leipzig activated his €20 million release clause to sign him from Leganés last summer.

The 19-year-old has recorded six goals and three assists in 14 Bundesliga outings, with a particularly explosive run in December placing him second only to Harry Kane for goal contributions during the month. Those performances have confirmed his rise as one of the league’s standout breakthrough players. Tottenham now face a difficult task in attempting to sign the Leipzig winger in January, with Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard outlining the scale of the fee required for the German club to even consider a sale while Diomande is away on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kane ended December as the Bundesliga’s top scorer with five goals, including efforts against Mainz, Heidenheim, and a hat-trick versus Stuttgart. Diomande finished just behind him, contributing four goal involvements in three matches. That run included a hat-trick in Leipzig’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and an assist against Magdeburg in the DFB Pokal.

Across all competitions this season, Diomande is averaging a goal every 86 minutes, placing him among the most efficient young attackers in Europe. His form has drawn interest from Liverpool and Barcelona in addition to Tottenham, with all three clubs tracking his progress during AFCON.

Discussing the situation exclusively with Tottenham News, Hatchard played down the likelihood of a January move despite Spurs being in advanced talks. The Sky Sports Bundesliga commentator said Leipzig would be extremely reluctant to sell mid-season, suggesting a starting point of at least £52 million, but adding that an offer closer to £87 million would likely be required for the club to even contemplate a deal.

That figure reflects Leipzig’s strong negotiating stance rather than Diomande’s pure market value. Ole Werner’s side, currently fourth in the Bundesliga and pushing for Champions League qualification, are unwilling to part with their most dangerous attacking outlet.

Leipzig’s resistance is also influenced by Diomande’s temporary absence at AFCON, which already reduces their attacking depth. With the tournament running until mid-January and potentially into February should Ivory Coast reach the final, a permanent sale would leave Werner short of options in a market where top forwards command high prices.

Tottenham’s interest follows the departure of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, with Thomas Frank seeking attacking reinforcements after Spurs were held to a goalless draw at Brentford — their first scoreless Premier League match in 137 games.

Spurs do, however, maintain a positive working relationship with Leipzig following last summer’s signing of Xavi Simons. That deal demonstrated the ability of both clubs to negotiate successfully, which could prove significant in any future discussions over Diomande.