Jose Mourinho has given the green light for Real Madrid to sign Bundesliga speedster Yan Diomande for a reported £25m. The Ivory Coast-based winger is set to join Los Blancos this summer after the Portuguese coach identified a need for more speed in his side.
The sudden interest in Diomande has come as a surprise to many, with negotiations between Real Madrid and RB Leipzig already underway. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist, Mourinho has been the driving force behind the move, with the board backing him up to make the signings he deems necessary.
Real Madrid's transfer plans have been heavily influenced by Mourinho this summer, with the manager calling the shots on moves for Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate, as well as the departures of Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia. The club's board has given Mourinho complete freedom to make the signings he requires, and the manager has wasted no time in identifying potential targets.
Diomande's pace and trickery on the wing make him an attractive option for Mourinho, who has identified a need for more speed in his side. The winger is capable of playing on both wings and is set to join Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. on the right flank.
Signing Diomande will be a pricey affair, with Real Madrid's first offer valued at €90 million with €10 million in add-ons. However, RB Leipzig are reportedly demanding a €130 million payout as a fixed fee, likely with variables over and above that sum. The two parties are not too far off, and an agreement can be expected in the coming weeks if matters continue to proceed as swiftly as they are.
Diomande's arrival at Real Madrid will be a significant boost to the team's attacking options, and fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see him in action alongside some of the world's best players. With the transfer window set to close in a matter of weeks, time is of the essence for Real Madrid to finalize the deal and secure Diomande's services.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are set to earn a significant profit from the sale of Diomande, having previously been prepared to lose him for a lower fee. The German side's willingness to demand a higher price for the player has given Real Madrid an opportunity to negotiate a better deal, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks.
Source: Yahoo Sports
