The transfer of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace took most of us by surprise. The reality is that this was less of a shock on the basis that Johnson was irreplaceable, rather than that Tottenham is notoriously slow in moving on players who aren’t quite the perfect fit.
Johnson, however, is out, and the man tipped to replace him is a 19-year-old Ivorian winger currently playing for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. That man is Yan Diomande, according to GMS and many others.
He joined Leipzig in summer 2025 from Spanish side Leganés (after a brief earlier stint elsewhere) for around €20m and has quickly become one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.
He’s known for his pace, skill, one-on-one ability, and finishing, with scouts describing him as a “game breaker” already surpassing some established Premier League talents.
Tottenham Hotspur has shown strong interest in Diomande, particularly in the ongoing January 2026 transfer window. Reports indicate that Spurs have held advanced talks with his representatives, and it is said we have scouted him extensively.
They view him as a potential replacement for Brennan Johnson (who reportedly moved or is moving away).
Interest stems from Tottenham’s need for attacking reinforcements under manager Thomas Frank, with Diomande seen as offering “freshness and unpredictability” on the wings.
However, a January move looks highly unlikely:RB Leipzig insist he is not for sale this winter. They view him as one of their most talented players ever. His contract runs until 2030 with no release clause, giving them full control.
A word of caution?
>Leipzig has plateaued a little since reaching the last four of the Champions League in 2020 under Julian Nagelsmann. Their eye for talent remains as sharp as ever, though.
Last season, Diomande played 10 times for Spanish strugglers Leganes, and there was little in the raw numbers to suggest a star in the making. Leipzig saw it differently. Halfway through the season, Diomande has six goals and three assists in the league. Though right-footed, he can play on either flank. His form may level off a little as full-backs become wiser to his style, but there is so much to be excited about.