This afternoon, on Thursday, the 6th of August 2026, at just gone 16:00 CET, Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of winger Yan Diomande.
Although it has not been the best Thursday for Real Madrid fans, with the news that Rodri looks like he may not be signing after all, and to make it worse could be signing for Barcelona instead, there has been some news to cheer everybody up.
Indeed so, as at just gone 16:00 CET this afternoon (the 6th of August), Real Madrid officially announced the signing of RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast national team winger, Yan Diomande.
In the club's official statement released just minutes ago, they said: "Real Madrid C.F. and RB Leipzig have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Yan Diomande, who will be linked to our club for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2033.
That statement in and of itself is interesting. The media had initially said that the Ivorian would pen a five year deal, then in the last day or so it was mentioned that it would be a six year deal, but the official confirmation is seven, which really is a long term deal, and a huge investment all round, with the reported 125 million Euros transfer fee, and another potential 15 million in add ons.
So, a very expensive deal, but a very exciting one at that. Diomande was one of the break out stars in Europe last season, if not the biggest. He was consistently electric in the Bundesliga for Leipzig, having signed from Spanish side Leganes the year before, so this isn't actually his first adventure in La Liga.
He also looked very dangerous with Ivory Coast at the World Cup, giving Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie a very hard time as they defeated Ecuador 1-0. That was with him playing on the right hand side, a position most expect him to play in for Los Blancos, though that could be dependant on the future of Vinicius Jr.
This is the first big signing made in that position since the acquisition of Gareth Bale from Spurs all the way back in 2013. Well, if Diomande achieves half of what the Welshman did during his time at the club, he will have done pretty well.
With a potential front three of the 19-year old, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius would surely be the fastest in the world. That may not actually be overly helpful in low blocks against fodder La Liga sides, but it could be a serious threat in the Champions League, as well as against the high line of Hansi Flick's Barcelona.
