RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer has denied a deal has been struck with Real Madrid for the sale of Yan Diomande and mocked transfer guru Fabrizio Romano for suggesting otherwise.
Romano first reported the two clubs had agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £102million, on July 26 and accompanied a picture of the Ivory Coast winger with his trademark ‘Here We Go’ slogan on social media platform X.
And with personal terms reportedly already negotiated, it was seen as a matter of time before the 19-year-old’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu was formally announced.
Agent spat provides potential blocker for Diomande’s Madrid move
However, there has been a hold-up with Diomande’s former agents Maximal Management – led by ex-Leeds winger Max Gradel – lodging a complaint with FIFA after it emerged Roc Nation, founded by rap star Jay-Z, were now looking after the player’s interests.
And Leipzig have now thrown another spanner in the works by suggesting the deal is not as advanced as initially thought.
Schafer told Sky Sports Germany: “It is clear that some self-proclaimed signing experts reported a few days ago that the agreement was closed or they gave him the ‘here we go’. It’s just not like that. We haven’t reached that stage yet.”
It would still be a major surprise if Diomande did not end up at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer with Schafer confident the agent issue would not prove to be a blocker.
He added: “There has been a change of agents. Our point of contact now is Roc Nation – that was made very clear to us by Yan. I don’t think a transfer will fall on that, if there is a transfer in the first place.”
Diomande training alone with Madrid deal in balance
Diomande returned to Leipzig last Monday after an extended summer break following his exertions at the World Cup but has not been training with the squad.
It is believed the Bundesliga club are trying to ensure he remains injury free in case a deal with Madrid can be struck.
New Madrid boss Jose Mourinho will be eager there is no hitch in their pursuit of Diomande with the future of Vinicius Jr still uncertain.
The Brazil winger was pictured training with the Spanish giants this morning for the first time since he returned from South America. The 26-year-old has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, prompting interest from Arsenal.
