RB Leipzig has officially confirmed that Ivorian international Yan Diomande is currently sidelined due to illness, explaining his omission from the club's pre-season training camp in Austria. Head coach Martin Demichelis addressed the situation following his team's 4-0 victory over SC Verl, telling reporters that the player is dealing with an infection and will join his teammates once he has recovered.
Demichelis clarified the situation to Sky Germany, noting, "I know it's a big topic. Yan is genuinely ill. We'll see. 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." An official club statement echoed this sentiment, confirming that Diomande will not travel to Saalfelden until he is back to full health.
The defender's absence coincides with intense speculation regarding his future, as Real Madrid continues to push for a significant summer transfer deal with the German club. Alongside Diomande, teammates Antonio Nusa and Peter Gulacsi were also left out of the travelling squad. The club noted that Gulacsi is currently in negotiations with another team, which is why he will not be participating in the training camp.
Meanwhile, the activity at the Santiago Bernabeu has caught the attention of Arsenal. The Gunners have identified Vinicius Jr as a primary target as manager Mikel Arteta seeks to strengthen his attacking lineup. While reports suggest that the potential arrival of Diomande at Real Madrid would not necessarily restrict Vinicius Jr's playing time under manager Jose Mourinho, the situation remains a point of interest for the London club as they monitor the Brazilian forward's status.
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