Real Madrid News
19-year-old winger’s transfer saga will end in a matter of ‘hours or days’ – Romano
It has been a topsy-turvy day in the Real Madrid-Yan Diomande saga with conflicting reports arising about the agreement between Los Blancos and RB Leipzig.
At first, news broke that the two clubs had reached a complete agreement and that the official announcement was only a matter of time. As per that update, the final transfer fee was said to be close to €130 million.
Soon after, however, it became clear that there was no agreement or even face-to-face conversation between the two clubs in recent hours. In fact, it became clear that Diomande’s future would only be sorted once he returns to training in a few days.
Closure is imminent
As reported by Fabrizio Romano in a breaking update, the Diomande saga is expected to end in a matter of hours or days.
The ever-reliable journalist stressed that the deal is close to completion and that it will be closed at the earliest. In no case will the talks extend to August.
Real Madrid are the current frontrunners and are pushing hard to close the deal with the German side. PSG, however, are back with intent and are trying very hard to change the situation.
A breakthrough for Real Madrid or for PSG is imminent and could arrive at any moment, although it is more likely for the Spanish side to earn the said breakthrough.
A long-term deal expected
Real Madrid will pay a big sum for the right-winger, and it is expected that the final fee will cross €100 million with variables over and above that sum.
Should the player arrive, everything is in place for him to put pen to paper on a contract until 2031, ensuring that he is a pillar for the club’s long-term project.
Still just 19 years of age, Diomande’s best version is yet to come. He was in great touch at the FIFA World Cup and Real Madrid see him as the perfect signing to take over duties on the right flank.
All signs currently point to the youngster joining Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. to make one of football’s most fearsome trios. There is, however, a chance that the Brazilian leaves the club in which case Diomande will have more pressure as a potential ‘replacement.’
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
