Will FC Bayern spend more than 100 million euros on a single new signing for the first time in the club’s history? Over the past few days, speculation has been rife about RB Leipzig shooting star Yan Diomande. Now Lothar Matthäus, one of the most influential figures in German soccer, has intervened – and clearly put the brakes on
The 19-year-old Ivorian is regarded as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Bundesliga. Since moving to RB Leipzig, Diomande has developed rapidly in sporting terms and has quickly become the focus of numerous top European clubs. FC Bayern are also said to be keeping a close eye on the winger. But record international Matthäus, of all people, is advising the Munich club to be cautious
In an interview with Sky, the 63-year-old made it clear that although he believes Diomande has the potential to play for FC Bayern, he is critical of an immediate mega-transfer. In his view, a move to Munich would be too soon. Diomande is „not ready yet“, Matthäus said – also in view of his extraordinary career
In fact, Diomande’s career has been anything but classic. In early 2025, the attacker was still playing at a college in the USA before he took the leap to Europe and ended up at CD Leganés in Spain. RB Leipzig struck last summer and secured the winger’s services for around €20 million – despite some well-known competition
Diomande’s market value is increasing rapidly
Since then, Diomande’s market value has almost multiplied. According to media reports, Leipzig are now asking for a transfer fee in excess of the €100 million mark. The contract, which runs until 2030, does not have an exit clause, which puts RB in a comfortable negotiating position. In addition to FC Bayern, financially strong clubs from the Premier League in particular are said to be showing great interest. A bidding war in the summer is therefore by no means out of the question
This raises a fundamental question for FC Bayern: do they want to risk a historically high transfer fee for a talent who has enormous potential but is still at the beginning of his development? Munich has recently consciously moved away from extreme transfer spending and is increasingly focusing on structural squad planning, contract extensions and targeted reinforcements.