Max Gradel, the ex-Leeds United forward, has put a halt into Real Madrid's blockbuster move for Yan Diomande after filing a complaint to FIFA
Ex-Leeds United cult hero Max Gradel
Ex-Leeds United player Max Gradel(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Leeds United cult hero Max Gradel has filed a complaint to FIFA regarding Yan Diomande's proposed £113million move to Real Madrid.
Diomande, 19, who is one of the most talented attackers in world football right now, has agreed a club-record deal to join Jose Mourinho's Madrid this summer. He scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances for RB Leipzig last season and is thought to be Real-bound.
However, the move has hit a significant obstacle due to a legal battle over representation rights, according to AS and Defensa Central. Real Madrid have negotiated the deal with Roc Nation, the sports agency founded by Jay-Z, believing they were Diomande's sole representatives.
But Maxidel Management, led by ex-Leeds forward Gradel, have filed a lawsuit with FIFA claiming a breach of contract. Maxidel facilitated Diomande's move from Leganes to Leipzig last summer and believe they retain his rights until he leaves the German club.
This conflict has halted the progression of the deal that was otherwise close to be signed with Diomande ready to put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are reported to be furious about the situation, feeling deceived with the lack of transparency during negotiations. They had reached a broad agreement with Roc Nation, but Maxidel's emergence has created severe complications.
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Group E Runners Up and Group I Runner-Up at Dallas Stadium
The Yan Diomande transfer saga continues to rumble on(Image: (Photo by Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images))
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Ivorian journalist Malick Traore explained the club's frustration, saying: "Real Madrid are angry with Diomande's representatives at Roc Nation, after discovering that the player is still tied to a contract with other agents."
The anger is directed at Roc Nation, rather than Diomande himself. Real Madrid now find themselves in a difficult situation, as paying a commission to the wrong agent could result in harsh punishments from FIFA.
Gradel, 38, meanwhile, is a cult hero at Leeds having spent three successful years at Elland Road. He helped fire the Whites to promotion from League One in 2009/10 before enjoying the most prolific season in his career in the Championship, finding the net 18 times in 41 appearances.
That form earned him a move to Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 and he stayed there for four years before returning to England and securing a switch to the Premier League at Bournemouth. Gradel then went on to play for Toulouse, Sivasspor and Gaziantep before moving into being a football agent.
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