Real Madrid have officially completed the signing of Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, a move that has reshaped the record books for African football transfers. The 19-year-old forward, who has been a target for several top European clubs, joins the Spanish giants after weeks of intense negotiations, with the final package reaching a staggering €140 million including add-ons, according to The Athletic.
Diomande's Record-Breaking Transfer
The deal, confirmed by Madrid in an official statement, sees Diomande link up with coach Jose Mourinho. The fixed fee is €125 million, with the remaining €15 million tied to performance-related bonuses. This transfer surpasses the previous record held by Ivorian Nicolas Pepe, who joined Arsenal for €78.9 million in 2019, making Diomande the most expensive African player in history.
RB Leipzig had previously rejected multiple €100 million offers for the young star, holding firm on their valuation. The German club's persistence paid off, as Madrid eventually met their demands. Diomande's arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu is seen as a major coup for the La Liga side, who beat off competition from several Premier League clubs to secure his signature.
Top 10 Most Expensive African Signings
With Diomande's move, the list of the most expensive African players has been updated. Here's a look at the top 10, as reported by Legit.ng:
- Yan Diomande - RB Leipzig to Real Madrid: €140 million (including add-ons)
- Nicolas Pepe - Lille to Arsenal: €78.9 million
- Victor Osimhen - Lille to Napoli: €78.9 million
- Victor Osimhen - Napoli to Galatasaray: €75 million
- Omar Marmoush - Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City: €75 million
- Bryan Mbeumo - Brentford to Manchester United: €75 million
- Antoine Semenyo - AFC Bournemouth to Manchester City: €72 million
- Achraf Hakimi - Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain: €68 million
- Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City to Manchester City: €67.8 million
- Mohammed Kudus - West Ham to Tottenham Hotspur: €63.8 million
Osimhen's Double Appearance
Victor Osimhen's name appears twice on this list, a testament to his high market value. The Nigerian striker first moved from Lille to Napoli for €78.9 million, a club record at the time. That investment proved fruitful as Osimhen powered Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, scoring 26 goals to clinch the Golden Boot.
After a strained relationship with Napoli, Osimhen spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Galatasaray, where he impressed enough for the Turkish club to make the move permanent for €75 million. This transfer, completed in 2025, kept Osimhen among the most expensive African players, even as his career took a new turn.
Other Notable Moves
Omar Marmoush's €75 million transfer to Manchester City came after a stellar spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, though his time at the Etihad has been challenging, with reports linking him with a move away. Bryan Mbeumo, who spent six seasons at Brentford, joined Manchester United for €75 million and has become a key player at Old Trafford.
Antoine Semenyo's €72 million move from Bournemouth to Manchester City made him the most expensive African signing in the Premier League at that time, surpassing Mohammed Kudus. Achraf Hakimi's €68 million transfer to PSG has seen him establish himself as one of the world's best defenders, while Riyad Mahrez's €67.8 million move to City in 2018 yielded multiple trophies, including the Champions League in 2023.
Kudus and Barcelona's Osimhen Interest
Mohammed Kudus, who joined Tottenham Hotspur for €63.8 million after impressing at West Ham, has struggled with injuries and has yet to fully justify his fee. Meanwhile, Barcelona have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Osimhen, deeming the transfer too costly. Galatasaray have set an asking price double what they paid for the striker in 2025, aiming to deter interested clubs as top European sides circle.
