The player in question is one of the brightest talents in European football, wanted by Premier League clubs this summer. But Yan Diomande, the Bundesliga wunderkind, is also at the centre of a bizarre dispute that involves an ex-Leeds United player and the football agency founded by rapper Jay-Z.
Diomande, 19, has been the emerging star of Bundesliga this season since his £17.5m move from Leganés in Spain, scoring 10 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig. He is expected to go to the World Cup with Ivory Coast this summer and clubs would also like to bring the teenager to England.
But behind the scenes there is a bitter dispute over Diomande switching representatives and, effectively, who will negotiate his terms when he moves to one of the big clubs in the Champions League.
What is the dispute?
Roc Nation, the agency founded by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, announced they had signed Diomande just after the January window closed. “Welcome to the family,” they announced on their social media platforms on Feb 6. Diomande’s profile went onto the Roc Nation website, with his biography alongside the agency’s other big stars such as Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior and Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli.
But until signing for Roc Nation, Diomande was with Maxidel Management, which is run by former Leeds winger Max Gradel. He was at Elland Road between 2009 and 2011 during a career where he was capped more than 100 times by Ivory Coast. Maxidel announced on Jan 1 on their Instagram they had renewed their contract with Diomande and thanked him for his loyalty.
Maxidel have since released a statement where they insist the player “remains contractually bound to our agency”.
The statement read: “It is therefore with great surprise that we are now discovering that an an engagement may have been made in parallel with another agency, outside of any proper procedure and without respect for our contractual rights.
“In light of this situation, Maxidel Management will take all necessary measures to protect its rights and defend its interests through the appropriate legal channels.”
What is each side saying?
Maxidel say they have lodged paperwork which has been approved with football federations – in Germany, Spain and England – to show they are the player representatives for Diomande until 2027. They also say the player has an image rights contract with them until 2031, plus an exclusive mandate to sell him. Roc Nation did not comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport but it is understood they believe they have signed Diomande legally.
Who are the agencies?
Maxidel are the agency that took Diomande from Leganés to RB Leipzig last summer in a move that has put him in the frame for his next step. Gradel played with Leeds when they were promoted from League One and he also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, before moving into football agency when he hung up his boots.
Roc Nation started a London office in 2019 and have represented the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku while in the Premier League. With Jay-Z as founder, they have music artists DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Megan Thee Stallion on their books.
How could this row impact a summer move?
The situation will need clarity before Diomande moves from RB Leipzig. With Maxidel saying they are willing to make a legal challenge, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is the highest court a dispute such as this can go. It is seen by Maxidel as an obstacle to a smooth summer move from RB Leipzig.
Why are clubs interested in Diomande?
His impact this season has come as a wide forward for RB Leipzig, with head coach Ole Werner starting him on the right most frequently. He can take on his full-back on the outside or cut in, with his passing and crosses also bringing five Bundesliga assists this season.
Diomande is expected to command at least £80m in the market, which would also give a buying club resale value as the player is so young. His all-round game and pace means he is seen as a good value investment despite a big fee needed to land him in the summer.
Who is looking at him?
Tottenham have been watching his situation closely as they look to bolster that area of their squad. But he is also on the radar of Manchester United and Liverpool, who have watched him in his rookie Bundesliga campaign. Bayern Munich will be in the mix for him in the summer too, having made an offer in January.