RB Leipzig have set an £87 million price tag on highly-rated forward Yan Diomande, a figure that has effectively priced Manchester United out of the race and left Liverpool as the clear frontrunners to secure his signature, according to Topskills Sports UK on X. Tottenham remain interested but face a significant challenge in meeting Leipzig’s valuation given their current financial and sporting situation.

The fee represents a substantial outlay for any club, but for Tottenham specifically, it raises immediate questions about feasibility. A side battling Premier League relegation with one point separating them from the bottom three is not typically in a position to sanction expenditure approaching £90 million on a single player.

The Lewis family have pledged a major summer overhaul and a loosened wage structure, but that ambition is entirely contingent on maintaining top-flight status. Should Spurs go down, any conversation about pursuing a player at this price point becomes largely academic.

Liverpool’s position as frontrunners reflects the advantage that Champions League football and a stable, well-resourced environment provides in the transfer market. Given Diomande’s profile and age, the opportunity to join a club competing at the highest level...