José Mourinho on Real Madrid summer signing: ‘I didn’t ask for him, but…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has admitted that he did not personally request the signing of Yan Diomandé this summer. The Portuguese, though, is nevertheless delighted with the arrival of the young Ivorian.

Winger Diomandé of course put pen to paper on terms in Spain’s capital earlier this month, in a big-money transfer from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.

Despite his tender years, the Real Madrid brass agreed to fork over a sum with the potential to rise to a hefty €140 million to secure the 19-year-old’s long-term future.

The signing, at the time, was widely understood to have come at the direct request of José Mourinho, who has been fully backed by the Bernabéu brass since his return to Valdebebas this summer.

Speaking to the media this week, however, the Portuguese tactician revealed that this was in fact not the case. Drawn on Diomandé’s addition during an interview with El Chiringuito TV, Mourinho admitted:

“No, I did not ask for him but I wanted him. He’s a great player who can play on both sides.”

Conor Laird – GSFN