Real Madrid, undoubtedly one of the market agitators, continues to advance in its goal of creating a better squad for the current season. After the signings of Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Konaté, Cucurella, and Carlos Espí, comes Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivorian winger who played two years ago for Leganés and last season for German club Leipzig.
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The player has already left the training camp of his current team, which was in preseason in Austria, and has headed to Madrid to undergo the medical examination with the white club. And this is not just another signing, as he will become the most expensive player in the history of the Galácticos club. Madrid officially announced his signing until 2033 this Thursday early afternoon.
The negotiations have not been easy. The initial amounts handled by the white club were 100 or 110 million, but a series of variables were included and the amount increased (it could reach a total of 135 or 140) until Leipzig, which had other proposals this summer such as from PSG, agreed. A dispute between the current agent (Roc Nations, the same that manages Vinícius) and the previous one (Maxidel Management) delayed a transfer that was considered a done deal at Valdebebas since the previous week.
With Diomande, Madrid gains the missing piece of the puzzle in their attack, that of a right winger who can break the balance (33 matches, 12 goals, and eight assists in the Bundesliga), young (19 years old), with potential (he will sign until 2031 or 2032), and for whom the big European clubs were longing.
Diomande’s arrival may not be the only positive news for the white entity this week. On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Valdebebas between Vinícius Júnior’s representatives and Real Madrid’s sports directors led by José Ángel Sánchez. Although there was a gap between what the Brazilian asked for (more money and a bigger share of image rights) and the club’s offer, several media outlets agreed, like The Athletic, that the white club improved the initial proposal.
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There is more optimism with Vinícius despite the siren calls from Arsenal. The Brazilian, to flood the operation with a mysterious aura, decided to delete all his images from social media. There is not a trace of Real Madrid left. A declaration of intent or a distraction game?
The third name in the equation, aside from Franco Mastantuono, who will go on loan to Fiorentina, is Rodri Hernández. The midfielder intends to leave City and return to Spain, and for weeks he has viewed his move to Real Madrid favorably. But the operation has not progressed. The transfer fee would be between 60 and 70 million, but other clubs are also interested in signing the World Cup MVP. Both The Athletic and ESPN mention possible interest from FC Barcelona in a position where they have Marc Bernal, Marc Casadó (rumored to leave), and Frenkie de Jong, injured after the World Cup and out for a few months due to a right knee injury.
At the Bernabéu, as of today, they are preparing to announce Diomande, eagerly awaiting the Brazilian’s yes, and debating again how to sign Rodri, the missing piece in midfield, a sweet deal in the market.
