Tottenham’s growing pursuit of Yan Diomande is becoming one of the clearest signals yet of how serious the club is about reshaping its identity under Thomas Frank. Reports from Sky Sports describe talks between Spurs and the RB Leipzig star’s representatives as “very advanced,” and this development shows that the club is not simply reacting to transfer noise but acting with real purpose.
This is not a last-minute scramble or a flashy rumour to excite supporters. It is a focused move that reflects exactly how Frank wants his side to evolve faster, more aggressive and more unpredictable in the final third.
Diomande has risen sharply in the Bundesliga, turning himself into one of Leipzig’s most threatening wide players. At just 20, he combines explosive acceleration with a fearless mindset, and it is no surprise that people around the game are calling him a future star.
With reports suggesting an £88 million release clause, the winger is already operating at a level that has attracted interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs.
Leipzig are calm and insist there are no formal negotiations yet, but Tottenham’s willingness to move early shows how determined they are. Frank is not chasing big names for the sake of headlines. He is looking for specific profiles that fit into the football he wants to build.
Frank’s system demands intensity, speed and constant forward movement. His wide players are not there to recycle passes or play safe. They are there to break defensive lines, stretch teams, take risks and create chaos every time they receive the ball. Diomande fits that style almost perfectly.
He is at his best when running at defenders, when space is open, and when games become unpredictable. That is exactly the type of energy Spurs have lacked in periods where their attack becomes slow and predictable.
With Frank guiding the team into a more vertical, high-pressure style, Diomande is the kind of winger who could change the speed of the entire attack. His presence alone would force full-backs deeper and open more space for central attackers.
It is the kind of signing that does not just add quality it changes rhythm, structure and the way opponents prepare to defend.
Tottenham’s decision to move fast is also part of a smarter recruitment plan. The phrase “very advanced talks” carries weight because it suggests Spurs are trying to avoid the type of bidding war that usually erupts around high-potential young attackers. Leipzig’s business model is well known.
They let talent develop, allow multiple big clubs to circle, and only sell when the price peaks. Once several Champions League clubs become involved, values rise and deals become more complex.
By making their move early, Spurs give themselves the best chance to secure Diomande’s approval before competition becomes overwhelming. Frank also wants clarity early in the summer so he can build a clear structure during pre-season instead of facing late-window uncertainty.
Tottenham have suffered too often from slow negotiations that result in rushed signings or missed opportunities, and this proactive approach shows that lessons are being learned.
Signing Diomande would still carry some risk because he is young and still developing. He has not yet faced the physical demands of the Premier League, and his ability to deliver consistent output across an entire season is still a work in progress.
But Tottenham’s recent recruitment strategy has shifted heavily toward high-growth players rather than short-term solutions. Instead of ageing signings with little resale value, the club is targeting players who could become elite-level contributors within one or two seasons.
Diomande sits right in that category. Leipzig’s reputation for developing world-class players also gives Spurs confidence. If a player thrives in their system, he usually arrives in the next league with a strong tactical and physical foundation.
For Frank, the attraction is obvious. Diomande is a winger made for moments of chaos, and Frank’s football thrives when matches open up. Tottenham have at times dominated possession without turning that control into real danger.
They have lacked players who can break structure, force defenders into panic and create opportunities before opponents reset. Diomande provides this naturally. When defenders are backtracking or recovering, he becomes a nightmare to handle. That type of threat is priceless in a league filled with disciplined, compact defensive systems.
Barcelona’s early interest adds another twist. Even though their involvement is described as informal for now, their presence alone shows how highly rated Diomande is becoming across Europe.
Once clubs like Barcelona turn monitoring into real movement, the dynamics of any transfer change. Prices rise, agents sense opportunity, and players begin to dream of historic clubs.
Tottenham know this and are acting before the situation escalates. If they wait until July or August, they may find themselves watching Diomande move elsewhere while their own attacking plans remain incomplete.
For Spurs, this pursuit reflects something bigger than one signing. It reflects a new identity forming under Frank. Diomande is not being chased because he is the biggest name available. He is being chased because he fits the blueprint aggressive, direct, unpredictable and hungry to grow.
He is the type of player who can turn a tactical idea into a real on-pitch advantage. Tottenham want to become a side that plays with pace and purpose, that punishes teams on the break and that forces mistakes through relentless pressure. Diomande fits that perfectly.
If Spurs succeed in bringing him to North London, it will not simply be another expensive arrival. It will be a strong declaration of the club’s future direction. It will show that Tottenham intend to compete through speed, bravery and players who change games with one action.
Whether the deal gets done or not, one thing is already clear: this is a Thomas Frank signing through and through, and it shows exactly what Tottenham want to become.
