Diomande set to become Real Madrid’s record signing at 135 million euros | OneFootball

Real Madrid are closing in on 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande for a club-record fee after Leipzig refused to budge.

The Germans rejected bids of 100 and 120 million, and Diomande trained on Monday while general director José Ángel Sánchez worked on the final details. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the package is 115 million fixed plus 20 million in add-ons and is expected to be announced in the coming hours.

The fee, excluding intermediary commissions, would eclipse the 127 million paid for Jude Bellingham and the 120 million spent on Eden Hazard.

Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from the race, describing the demanded fee and salary as disproportionate and arguing the move would have unbalanced the market, while stressing their financial discipline. This despite previous outlays of 222 million for Neymar and 180 for Kylian Mbappé.

Florentino Pérez has engaged in an auction with a so-called state-backed club, marking a shift from Madrid’s recent habit of recruiting prospects earlier, as with Vinícius, Rodrygo, Endrick and Mastantuono.

Diomande has 56 senior appearances, 32 for Leipzig, 14 for Ivory Coast and 10 for Leganés, with 14 goals. A year ago Leganés signed him for one and a half million before selling him after 10 games to Leipzig for 20 million.

His desire to return to Madrid proved decisive in sealing the agreement. The price has stirred debate among the fanbase, and he is scheduled to link up with José Mourinho’s squad this week.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo