Salah Nears Trabzonspor Move; Real Madrid Pursue Diomande in €135m Deal

The summer transfer window continues to generate significant movement across European football, with two high-profile deals dominating headlines. Egyptian winger Mohamed SalahPlayer·Mohamed Salah is set to embark on a new chapter in his career, reportedly nearing a move to Turkish Süper LigCompetition·Süper Lig side Trabzonspor. Concurrently, Spanish giants Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid are pushing to finalize a blockbuster transfer for Ivorian sensation Yan DiomandePlayer·Yan Diomande from RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig.

Mohamed SalahPlayer·Mohamed Salah, who departed LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool as a free agent at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, is expected to arrive in Trabzon today, August 5, 2026, to complete his transfer. Trabzonspor has officially confirmed that negotiations are underway for the two-year contract. The reported financial package for Salah is approximately €17 million per year, a figure that would establish him as the highest-paid player in the history of Turkish football. At Trabzonspor, Salah will reunite with former Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League players André OnanaPlayer·André Onana and Stefan SavićPlayer·Stefan Savić.

Salah had previously extended his contract with LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool in April 2025, a deal intended to keep him at Anfield through the 2026/27 campaign. However, in March 2026, he confirmed his intention not to fulfill the agreement. Despite links to Major League Soccer, the Saudi Pro League, and fellow Turkish club Beşiktaş during the summer, Trabzonspor ultimately secured his signature. In the 2025/26 season, Trabzonspor finished third in the Süper LigCompetition·Süper Lig with 69 points from 34 matches and clinched the Turkish CupCompetition·Turkish Cup, defeating Konyaspor 2-1 in the final. Their league position qualifies them for the Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League play-off round, meaning Salah will not feature in the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League with his new club. LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool, Salah's former team, concluded their 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League campaign in fifth place.

Meanwhile, Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid are reportedly close to securing the services of Yan DiomandePlayer·Yan Diomande from RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig in a deal that could exceed £100 million. Reports suggest a package around €130-135 million, with RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig demanding a fee of €130 million after rejecting previous offers up to €120 million. Should the transfer materialize at €130 million, it would surpass Jude Bellingham's €127 million move, making Diomande Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid's most expensive signing and the most expensive African player in history.

Diomande joined RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig in July 2025 from Spanish side CD Leganés for a €20 million release clause, signing a contract until June 30, 2030. The 2025/26 season proved to be a breakout campaign for the 19-year-old winger. He featured in 36 games across all competitions for RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig, contributing 12 goals and nine assists. His impressive performances earned him the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award for 2025/26, along with Rookie of the Month honors in December 2025 and February 2026, and Player of the Month in April 2026. Diomande also made his international debut for Ivory CoastTeam·Ivory Coast in late 2025 and was part of their World CupCompetition·World Cup squad.

RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig's sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, has maintained that Diomande's contract is valid until 2030 with no release clause, stating the club's position that he will play for them next season. However, discussions are ongoing with his agency, Roc Nation, regarding a potential contract extension with an improved salary. Despite the public stance, reports indicate RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig is prepared to sell and has excluded him from pre-season training to prevent injury. Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid manager José MourinhoCoach·José Mourinho is reportedly keen on Diomande, viewing him as a crucial addition to his attacking lineup, potentially deployed on the right-wing alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius JuniorPlayer·Vinicius Junior. There is an ongoing dispute between Diomande's former agency, Maxidel Management, and his current agency, Roc Nation Sports, concerning his transfer rights, which could lead to a FIFA investigation if the transfer to Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid proceeds. Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid finished second in La LigaCompetition·La Liga in the 2025/26 season, and Diomande's potential arrival would significantly bolster their attacking options.