Chelsea send officials to watch 'next Erling Haaland'

Cameron Smith

16 Feb 2026 09:01 CST
2 min read

Chelsea were reportedly among the Premier League clubs to send officials to watch RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande in action against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.

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The Ivory Coast international is expected to be the subject of a transfer bidding war this summer following a fantastic start to life at Leipzig after arriving at the club from Leganes last year.

Diomande has 15 goal involvements in just 24 matches for Leipzig and the Bundesliga outfit have responded to his immense form by slapping a minimum asking price of €100 million on his head.

However, this hasn’t dissuaded Premier League suitors, and representatives from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur were all in attendance at the Red Bull Arena to watch him net his eighth goal of the season on Sunday afternoon, as per TEAMtalk.

Liverpool are currently considered to be the frontrunners for his signature, but Chelsea are also firmly interested in signing the 19-year-old, who is reportedly considered to be the biggest talent in the Red Bull Group since Erling Haaland.

Leipzig have no intention of selling Diomande this summer, however they could feasibly be forced into a deal if they receive a suitable bid amid significant interest from Premier League clubs.

Yan Diomande to Chelsea?

While Diomande may cost Chelsea a fee in excess of €100m this summer, the Blues could actually have signed him on a free transfer just two years ago following a trial he underwent at Stamford Bridge.

“It was a difficult time. I felt like for many people it was always just about money,” Diomande admitted to BILD.

“Many told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA. Suddenly I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily the right decision.

“I think patience is crucial in football. It's not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I'm young, I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn't get that on the bench.”

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