Yan Diomande, RB Leipzig star
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Days after the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano gave his ‘here we go’ for Yan Diomande’s move to Real Madrid, the transfer has not been announced yet and there is a growing sense of impatience.
Los Blancos, after all, have been close to completing the deal for days now but have not managed to deliver the final blow, raising questions on what the limiting factor currently is.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Leipzig and Real Madrid are yet to finalise the specifics of the economics of the operation with the German side demanding easier-to-achieve variables and a larger fixed sum.
Now, Fabrizio Romano himself has come out to address the reason for the delay in announcement of the signing.
A hunt for a replacement
Indeed, as relayed by the Italian journalist, there is a growing sense from the Leipzig sources that the Bundesliga side are looking to sign a replacement for Diomande immediately.
Yan Diomande, RB Leipzig star
Leipzig want to sign a replacement. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The German team prefer to finalise and make Diomande’s sale official only after they have secured the services of a player to fill the void, and are this delaying it’s completion.
Romano once again stressed that the deal between Real Madrid and Leipzig is done with terms being agreed. The negotiations, thus, are not the hurdle and it is only a matter of time before it is made official.
No real competition
Paris Saint-Germain were seen as Real Madrid’s biggest competitors to sign the talented winger this summer, for they had initially even reached an agreement with the player over the transfer.
Luis Enrique, PSG manager
PSG have backed out of the race. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
News of Real Madrid’s last-ditch entry on to the scene thus left Luis Enrique’s side fuming, but with no option given that Diomande has his heart set on Madrid.
Earlier in the week, PSG even released an official statement confirming that they are out of the race to sign the player and despite reports in recent hours, they are not planning to re-enter talks.
That leaves the path clear for Real Madrid to secure the player’s services once terms are agreed. Rapid developments are expected over the coming days, with Los Blancos set to push for Rodri after completing the attacking signing.
Real Madrid News
‘No thanks’: Real Madrid target turns down PSG, remains focused on dream move – report
Published
21 minutes ago
on
July 29, 2026
Rodri of Spain
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
Relations between PSG and Real Madrid have turned sour in recent years, and the ongoing transfer window has only made matters worse.
The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga was the first to break bridges between the two clubs, and PSG even attempted to sign Vinicius Jr. at the time as revenge for Los Blancos signing their best player as a free agent.
This summer, the club went after PSG’s top transfer target Yan Diomande after the French club reached an agreement with him, and stole him away in broad daylight. Furious at the development, the Parisiens contacted Real Madrid target Rodri hoping to steal him.
A plan that went wrong
As reported by Diario AS now, PSG did indeed make a call to Rodri offering him a move to Paris this summer. They persuaded the player and attempted to convince him to put aside his dream of joining Real Madrid.
Nasser al-Khelaifi, PSG president
PSG made a late entry for Rodri. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
The player’s reply, however, was a blunt ‘No thanks’, and he made it very clear that he is not looking to turn his back on the club he dreams of joining. He refused to even listen to them.
Rodri appreciates the gesture from PSG, but joining them does not align with his objectives at this stage of his career. The player wants to decide his future on his own terms and sees only two options – join Real Madrid or stay at Manchester City.
Perez’s green light arrives
While Florentino Perez has been the biggest hurdle in Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri so far this summer, the club president has now opened up to the possibility in recent days.
Rodri of Spain
Rodri is Real Madrid’s priority. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
As relayed earlier this week, Perez has now given the green light to sign the midfielder, and the club have made him the priority signing for the department.
The operation is already in motion, and the club will reportedly present Manchester City with an official offer immediately after the Yan Diomande deal is completed later this week.
PSG and Barcelona have both tried to make late entries into the race, but Real Madrid are in pole position by some distance. It will, however, be a priority to complete the deal at the earliest without any further obstacles.