Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
According to MARCA, Yan Diomande is on the verge of becoming a Real Madrid player after negotiations with RB Leipzig made significant progress over the past few hours.
The 19-year-old winger is currently with Leipzig at the club’s training camp in Austria, but he is now waiting for permission to travel to Madrid, where he is expected to undergo his medical examination.
If the final details are completed as planned, the transfer could be officially announced as early as tomorrow.
Leipzig confirmed Diomande’s return to pre-season training earlier today, prompting some speculation about whether negotiations had stalled.
That is not the case. The Ivory Coast international joined the squad later than expected after recovering from illness, according to the German club.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Arrival imminent. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Despite his arrival in Austria, discussions with Real Madrid continued throughout the day and have moved considerably closer to an agreement.
Real Madrid are set to make one of the biggest investments in the club’s history to secure Diomande’s signature.
While previous reports suggested a transfer fee of around €120 million, the latest negotiations with Leipzig could push the final figure even higher due to the German club’s demands.
Reports from Germany suggest that the deal could end up reaching around €130-140 million in total value.
If that happens, Diomande would become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo (€117 million), Eden Hazard (over €100 million), and Jude Bellingham (whose total package could reach €130 million including bonuses).
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Set to become Real Madrid’s record signing. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
The biggest obstacle in the transfer has not been Leipzig’s valuation. Real Madrid also had to navigate a legal dispute involving the player’s representation and image rights.
Diomande was previously represented by Maxidel Management, which has allegedly filed legal action against his current agency, Roc Nation, over image-rights agreements.
The dispute has reached FIFA, although it is not expected to prevent the transfer from being completed. Should the legal proceedings continue, FIFA could authorize a provisional transfer certificate, allowing the move to go ahead while the matter is resolved separately.
With negotiations now in their final stages, only a handful of details remain before the deal is completed.
Diomande is expected to travel to Madrid as soon as he receives authorization from Leipzig, complete his medical, and finalize the paperwork before being unveiled as Real Madrid’s newest signing.
If everything proceeds as expected, the announcement could come within the next 24 hours.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Real Madrid are entering what could be the most decisive stage of Vinicius Jr.’s contract saga, with a meeting scheduled with the player’s camp.
These contractual negotiations have been dragging on for far too long now, with the two parties unable to reach an agreement.
Vinicius has laid out his demands to sign a new contract with the Spanish club, which the Merengues do not see as feasible.
Now, according to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, the negotiations are very evenly poised, and Arsenal believe they have a real chance of pulling off a coup this summer.
The Brazilian’s future is still balanced between three possibilities: signing a new contract, remaining until 2027 before leaving for free, or completing a blockbuster move to Arsenal.
Ornstein reports that Vinicius is seeking a salary of around €28 million per year, something Real Madrid are not keen on agreeing to, with the club offering as much as €22 million plus €2 million in add-ons.
The journalist also adds that salary is not the only issue complicating negotiations. Vinicius is also owed a loyalty bonus under his current Real Madrid contract, reportedly worth around €10 million or potentially even more.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Still no progress in renewal talks. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Real Madrid would have little issue paying that amount if the Brazilian commits his future by signing a new deal.
However, paying such a bonus only for the player to leave on a free transfer next summer would be a far less appealing outcome from the club’s perspective.
This explains why the club chiefs at Real Madrid are of the opinion that the 26-year-old must be sold if he does not renew his contract this summer.
Arsenal’s interest has also intensified behind the scenes, with the Gunners growing optimistic of their chances.
The Premier League champions believe Vinicius would be open to joining them if he does not renew with Real Madrid, although that remains entirely dependent on the outcome of the contract talks.
Arsenal have been working on the operation for much longer than was publicly known, with the club internally approving the financial framework required for a potential deal.
The Gunners are ready to make Vinicius the face of their project at the Emirates, and Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing him to London.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Arsenal ready to go all in. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The financial gap between Real Madrid and Vinicius parties remains the central obstacle. This situation has drawn parallels to the one involving Cristiano Ronaldo, when Madrid refused to give the Portuguese international what he was asking for.
Ronaldo eventually left the club to sign for Juventus, and there is a good chance the same happens with Vinicius and Arsenal this summer.
Jose Mourinho has already made it clear that he wants Vinicius to remain at the club, while Real Madrid themselves still see a contract renewal as the preferred outcome.
However, Los Blancos are also not the kind of club who would break their salary structure just to keep one player, even if he is Vinicius.
The upcoming meeting is pivotal for all parties involved. It either ends with Vinicius and Real Madrid shaking hands and agreeing on a new deal, or the club finding a new destination for the Brazilian.
Arsenal, meanwhile, continue to wait to see how these talks evolve.