Discussions between the two clubs have entered their decisive stage. Insiders confirm the Merengues are prepared to invest between €130 million and €140 million to secure the Ivorian forward’s services. This would make Diomande the second most expensive Bundesliga transfer in history, trailing only Ousmane Dembélé’s €148 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona.
Just days ago, the proposed transfer fee stood at €120 million. The sudden surge in valuation reflects Diomande’s explosive rise at RB Leipzig, where he delivered 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 competitive appearances following his €20 million arrival from Leganés in summer 2025.
Transfer specialist Ben Jacobs has hinted at a verbal agreement on terms, though final confirmation remains pending. The Madrid board is expected to ratify the deal later today, pending medical clearance for the 19-year-old.
Diomande’s tactical absence fuels transfer saga
Diomande’s delayed arrival at Leipzig’s training camp in Saalfelden, Austria, raised eyebrows. The teenager, who had claimed illness ahead of Saturday’s departure, overcame an infection to rejoin his teammates. Real Madrid had hoped to expedite his medical evaluation in Madrid, but the prolonged negotiations with Leipzig thwarted that plan.
Transfer pundits, including Fabrizio Romano, prematurely declared the deal ‘done’ over a week ago, sparking controversy. RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer dismissed such claims, stressing the complexity of finalizing such high-stakes transfers. ‘When we have something to announce, we’ll do it,’ Schäfer stated on Tuesday. ‘Experts calling it
