Real Madrid News
Real Madrid aim to complete Yan Diomande deal before RB Leipzig depart on pre-season tour
While several reliable outlets have reported that Yan Diomande’s signing by Real Madrid has been fully agreed, the official announcement has simply not arrived.
The situation, needless to say, forces one to believe that there are some finer details in the agreement that are yet to be finalised, thereby preventing the official announcement.
Some reports, however, have maintained constantly that the agreement has not been completed, and Florian Plettenberg is one such reputed journalist.
Once again, he has now provided an update explaining the current situation between Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.
Pushing to complete soon
As relayed by the German journalist, Real Madrid are pushing to complete the Diomande deal with RB Leipzig before the Bundesliga side fly out for their pre-season campaign.
Leipzig are travelling to Austria on Saturday, and the intention is to close the deal before that.
Once again, the two clubs were involved in negotiations today to discuss the finer terms but an agreement has not been reached yet.
Currently, Diomande is in Leipzig and is staying professional and patient throughout the situation. He is awaiting the finalisation of terms.
Conflicting reasons for the delay
Just as has been the case with updates on the deal itself, there have been conflicting reasons coming up for the announcement is being delayed.
Plettenberg, who has proven reliable in this transfer saga so far, claims it is the structure of variables that is hindering an agreement from being reached.
Leipzig are reportedly pushing for a higher fixed fee and variables that are easier to achieve compared to what Real Madrid are proposing.
Fabrizio Romano, however, claims that it is Leipzig’s search for a replacement that is delaying the agreement and that they will make it official once they have signed their backup.
In any case, what Real Madrid will be concerned with is completing the deal at the earliest, and negotiations in the coming hours will be crucial on that front.
After all, just over a day remain for the German side to fly out, and they will want the player travelling directly to Madrid given how advanced talks are.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid key midfielder ready to start vs Atletico Madrid after strong return from injury
Real Madrid have had a few injuries to contend with since the start of the season, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick all serving spells on the sidelines.
The trio are back in training now and looking to work their way into Jose Mourinho’s plans after a disrupted pre-season.
Now, according to Alberto Pereiro, Tchouameni appears to be winning the race to return to Real Madrid’s starting XI for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old is said to be in the best physical condition of the players who have recently returned from injury.
Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Tchouameni all rejoined team training last week, but the Frenchman is currently considered the most match-ready of the three.
Tchouameni ahead in the recovery race
As such, Tchouameni is now expected to start against Atletico Madrid later this week. That would be an important boost for Mourinho considering the physical nature of the game in store.
Tchouameni gives Real Madrid something very specific in midfield. He can protect the defence, compete in duels, cover large spaces and provide the kind of structure Mourinho values when matches become chaotic.
His return would also allow Real Madrid to approach the game with more balance around Federico Valverde and the attacking players ahead of them.
Mourinho has always valued his profile
Mourinho has been careful with Tchouameni’s recovery rather than rushing him back before he was fully ready.
That patience now looks set to pay off. Madrid have enough technical quality in midfield, but against Atletico, the game is unlikely to be decided by possession alone.
The ability to win second balls, close transition spaces and survive physically intense periods could be just as important.
This is exactly where Tchouameni thrives.
Pitarch and Endrick may need more time
The latest update also suggests Pitarch and Endrick are slightly behind Tchouameni in terms of physical readiness.
That does not necessarily mean either player is unavailable, but it would make sense for Mourinho to manage their minutes more cautiously. The duo are expected to be fully ready after the international break.
Pitarch still has an important role to play in a crowded midfield, while Endrick will be looking to re-establish himself in the attacking rotation after his own injury interruption.
For the derby, neither of those players is likely to be an option for the XI, but Tchouameni will definitely be a great addition.
If he does start, it would underline how highly Mourinho values him in the biggest matches. At the Metropolitano, Madrid may need Tchouameni more than anyone else, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
