Diomande's Leipzig absence owed to 'illness'
Martin Demichelis revealed illness ruled in-demand Yan Diomande out of RB Leipzig's pre-season friendly against SC Verl.
Diomande has been the subject of interest for several top teams across Europe, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool linked with a move for the Leipzig forward.
However, recent developments have suggested that the 19-year-old now favours a move to the Spanish capital, although Madrid has seen a reported €100 million ($164.1 million) rejected.
But an agreement with the LaLiga giant appears set to be edging closer after Diomande was absent for Leipzig's 4-0 win over third-tier Verl during its pre-season tour of Austria.
Demichelis said last month that "in football, anything can happen" when asked about Diomande's future, but cleared up the reasoning for the Cote d'Ivoire international's absence.
"I know it's a big topic. Yan is genuinely ill," Demichelis said.
"We'll see [if he comes with us when we leave for our pre-season tour later today].
"I haven't spoken with the doctor yet. If he's healthy, he has to come with us. If he's ill, then he's ill."
Interest in Diomande has come after a sensational individual campaign in 2025-2026, where he registered 13 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
