Yan Diomande is now a Real Madrid player, after the Madrid club reached an agreement with Leipzig - the owner of the 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast - for a sum that significantly exceeds 100 million euros, between 120 and 130 million euros.
The team led (again) by José Mourinho managed to beat off competition from PSG, who until a few hours ago were considered the main favorites for the transfer. The French club then became involved in the auction created after the entry into the competition of Florentino Pérez's club, who, as is known, spares no expense when targeting a footballer.
8mins highlights of Yann Diomande? pic.twitter.com/vDuGLfofIO
— Son Of 3ve (@_SonofEve) July 25, 2026
PSG's anger: "Excessive demands, distorted market"
How badly PSG experienced the epilogue of this transfer story is shown by the statement released by Al-Khelaifi's club. It does not mention Real Madrid, but clearly states that the increase in costs was unacceptable, as the club had reached a verbal agreement with the player back in June.
"Paris Saint-Germain officially withdrew its interest this evening and ended all negotiations for Yan Diomanden. The transfer fee requested, as well as the salary claims, were completely excessive and distorted the market," the statement said.
"PSG will not deviate from its principles of rigorous financial management and team balance," the statement continued. "As reigning European champion for the second time in a row and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will not be deterred by artificial price inflation or the maneuvers of certain intermediaries. The club will continue, with calm and confidence, its strategy in the transfer market."
Mourinho has a super squad, but now he could lose Vinicius
In the end, Real Madrid won, making their fifth move in a summer transfer window so far. Diomande – after a final season at Leipzig with 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games in total – joins the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella.
?? The integral communiqué of Luis Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi:
— ParisSG INFOS (@Paris_sginfos) July 26, 2026
"Le PSG has officially withdrawn this evening its interest in Yan Diomande, ainsi que toutes les offers le concernant. »
« Le montant du transfer et les exigences salariales étaiten totally disproportionnés et… pic.twitter.com/SN6z1hyk8x
Vinicius could leave after Diomande arrives
However, the purchase of such a high figure for the Ivory Coast player, another attacking winger in the Real Madrid squad, could mean the departure of Vinicius. The 26-year-old Brazilian has entered the final year of his contract and negotiations for a renewal have been blocked for months. Arsenal have begun to seriously consider the possibility of an offer, which, to be considered by the Madrid club, would have to be over 150 million euros. As you can see, this is a completely different reality from the modest investment market that Italian football, gloomy in every aspect, has taught us in recent years.
