RB Leipzig director dismisses ‘Here we go’ claims for Yan Diomande to Real Madrid: ‘Simply not the case’ | OneFootball

RB Leipzig managing director Marcel Schafer has publicly downplayed reports suggesting that a transfer agreement has been finalised with Real Madrid for winger Yan Diomande.

Speaking to Sky Germany, the club executive clarified the current status of the negotiations, explicitly refuting recent claims that the multi-million-pound operation is fully completed.

No done deal yet

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has insisted for over a week now that the operation has been agreed between Real Madrid and RB Leipzig and gave the deal his customary ‘Here we go’ to the deal.

Those claims, however, were refuted by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who has maintained that the two clubs have still not reached an agreement.

Now, Schafer took the opportunity to address the widespread media speculation that has surrounded the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international over the past week.

“It’s clear that some so-called transfer experts reported a few days ago that the deal was done or gave it the ‘here we go.’ That’s simply not the case,” Schafer stated firmly during his interview.

Still no agreement. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

He added a clear update on the actual progress of the boardroom talks, concluding: “We’re not at that stage yet.”

The comments from the managing director provide a realistic baseline for a transfer saga that has dominated European sports news.

Multiple media outlets had previously suggested that Real Madrid were on the absolute verge of completing the transfer for a package totaling €132 million, comprising a €122 million fixed fee and €10 million in performance-related variables.

However, Schafer’s official statement confirms that while dialogue may be occurring, RB Leipzig have not yet granted their administrative approval.

Current status and stalled Talks

The context surrounding Diomande remains highly fluid as the summer transfer window approaches its final weeks.

Diomande is dead set on joining Real Madrid. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

The young forward, who scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season, recently sat out Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against SC Verl after formally reporting in sick.

He also did not travel with the rest of the first-team squad to their active training camp in Austria.

While Diomande is understood to have already verbally agreed to personal contract terms with Real Madrid, the clubs must still resolve their valuation differences. There is also the matter of the dispute between his former and current agents that needs to be resolved.

Real Madrid’s management, led by president Florentino Perez, remains very keen on securing the player for head coach Jose Mourinho, but for now, the deal continues to hang in the balance.