RB Leipzig pushes back on Yan Diomande Real Madrid rumors

RB Leipzig’s managing director Marcel Schafer said the reported €100 million‑plus move of Ivorian winger Yan Diomande to Real Madrid remains unconfirmed, refuting media the deal was already done and stressing that negotiations are still ongoing with no medical having taken place.

Widespread media reports suggested Diomande would be unveiled as Real Madrid’s newest marquee signing after rumors indicated the transfer was all but complete. His profile and goal‑scoring record have fueled speculation across Europe.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano claimed Real Madrid and RB Leipzig had struck an agreement exceeding €100 million for the player, with all terms reportedly arranged. Diomande was scheduled to travel for his medical examination, but the proposed move hit unexpected roadblocks.

Schafer told Sky Sport Germany that some so‑called transfer experts had reported the deal as done, calling that “simply not the case.” He added that Leipzig is not at that stage yet.

After reporting back to RB Leipzig, Diomande was omitted from the club’s preseason training camp in Saalfelden. The club announced on social media that he is not traveling due to an infection and will join the team once he has recovered.

A complex legal dispute has emerged off the pitch, threatening the Real Madrid move. According to Diario AS, Max Gradel of Maxidel Management, Diomande’s former agent, filed a complaint with FIFA alleging a breach of contract after the player switched to Roc Nation, the agency that Real Madrid negotiated with directly, potentially affecting his eligibility to register in La Liga.

When asked whether the agent dispute could cause the transfer to collapse, Schafer downplayed the risk, saying: “From my perspective, it’s a clear no. I’m not aware of that. There has been a change of agents. Our point of contact is now Roc Nation – that’s something Yan made very clear to us.” He does not think a transfer would fall through because of the dispute, if it even comes to a transfer.

Schafer’s comments suggest that, despite the legal complaint and the player’s infection, RB Leipzig still expects negotiations with Real Madrid to continue, while the Spanish club remains interested but must await resolution of the representation issue before finalising the €100 million‑plus deal.