Diomande should stay in Leipzig beyond season, Mintzlaff says

Leipzig's Yan Diomande in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin at Red Bull Arena. Jan Woitas/dpa

Teenager Yan Diomande is yet to reach his full potential and can raise his price beyond €100 million ($117 million) by staying at RB Leipzig and playing Champions League football next season, supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff has said.

Diomande, 19, is having a strong debut season in Leipzig with 12 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga. Leipzig are third and close to clinching a top four finish which would see them return to the Champions League.

The Ivorian forward has reportedly generated interest from European top clubs, but Mintzlaff told Sky TV after Friday night's 3-1 league win against Union Berlin there was no reason for an early sale out of his contract until 2030.

"If I were managing director for sport I wouldn't sell this young player who hasn't even been with us for a full season," he said.

"I believe he is a player who can develop further because he is of course still very young. And he can surely become more expensive.

Mintzlaff acknowledged that other clubs are attractive for young players to take the next step but insisted that "we must have the ambition that a player doesn't leave after one year, even if he has played an outstanding season.

"I can only recommend to the management to keep this player with us for the coming season," Mintzlaff said.

Mintzlaff said that Diomande will be able to present himself on the big Champions League stage next term which along with the long-term contract makes him "very relaxed" on the issue.