Manchester United Target £88m Yan Diomande as Anthony Gordon Transfer Snubbed

Man Utd prefer RB Leipzig winger over Newcastle star in summer 2026 rebuild.

Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs states that Manchester United are willing to reject Anthony Gordon and instead pursue a deal with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, estimated at £88m.

It is a move that talks volumes about the direction of United. Although one of the outstanding players in the Premier League this season has been Gordon, the Red Devils seem to be exploring the outer arena and they are exploring internationally.

United Turn Away From Gordon

Gordon has performed well on behalf of Newcastle United this season. The 25 year old England international has scored 14 goals and five assists in 38 appearances and has been praised by the national team manager Thomas Tuchel leading to the 2026 world cup.

Nevertheless, even with such a prolific result, United are not swayed that there would be a deal. Transfer expert Ben Jacobs spoke on The United Stand podcast and was straightforward regarding the situation.
Ben Jacobs said:

Manchester United are very serious on Yan Diomande. The links of Diomande have more substance to them than the links of Anthony Gordon.

This verifies that interest in Gordon as is reported by United in the recent weeks have not grown into a real pursuit. The club would not like to pay a high price to the direct Premier League competitor to obtain one of his star players.

Who Is Yan Diomande?

Yan Diomande is a young Ivorian winger who is currently impressing in the Bundesliga in RB Leipzig. This season, he has hit nine goals and seven assists in only 25 matches, which have led to a very serious interest in Europe.

RB Leipzig have estimated the winger at around £87m 88m (Euromoney). That is a huge price, though one that United seemingly could take into consideration because they intend to undertake a serious summer renovation.

Diomande is considered an in-house option with a high potential and dynamism in the left side of United. He matches the description of the kind of player that the club is seeking to acquire; young, straightforward, and able to deliver when really needed.

Why United Are Bating an Eye to this move.

There are major developments that Manchester United are to undergo in the summer of 2026. The club is under the management of INEOS who are undertaking a long-term reorganization of the squad.

As Marcus Rhasford has been highly associated with a permanent transfer to Barcelona, United requires a good and thrilling alternative at the left wing. The solution of choice has been Diomande.

Diomande is also reported to have connections with Tottenham Hotspur and this could trigger a race to his signature. United will know it is risky to wait too long.

Gordon on the other hand keeps getting interest in other clubs. Credit has also been given to Arsenal and Liverpool admiring the Newcastle winger which implies that he is not going to lack suitors this summer.

Transfer Comparison At A Glance

What Happens Next

The fact that Diomande was preferred by United to Gordon represents a clear story. The club is not keen on over-priced charges in the Premier League where it thinks they can find similar or even better talent in other countries.

Jacobs is not saying nothing. He is also one of the least credible mouthpieces in the transfer market, and his way of putting the Diomande interest in real, conceptual, terms is important.

It is still several months before summer window. Nevertheless, the foundations are seemingly taking shape around Diomande as a prime target of United in the attacking restructure.

In the case of Gordon, manifestation is also straightforward. In spite of his merit, United have progressed. It will be good news to Newcastle – although the future of the England winger will continue to be a controversial subject in the coming days with the transfer window looming.
The next page in the history of attack of United might be the one of Leipzig.