RB Leipzig deny Real Madrid have agreed Yan Diomande transfer
Yan Diomande has rejoined RB Leipzig's pre-season training camp in Saalfelden, Austria, after recovering from an illness that kept him out of the squad, and sporting director Marcel Schafer has used the moment to reject reports that a transfer to Real Madrid is already agreed, according to Goal.com.
Speaking to reporters at the camp on Tuesday, Schafer pushed back directly on the speculation. "A few days ago, one or two so-called transfer experts were saying the deal was done," he said. "But that is simply not the case. Yan is under contract with us, he's our player."
The denial marks a shift in tone from where things stood a fortnight ago. Fulltiime reported on 27 July that Real Madrid had pulled clear in the race for the winger after PSG withdrew, with personal terms said to be agreed and an £85.4 million bid already rejected by Leipzig. Schafer's comments now suggest that no formal agreement between the two clubs has actually been struck, regardless of how advanced things looked from the Madrid side.
Diomande was the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Season last term, contributing 12 goals and eight assists in 33 league appearances as Leipzig finished third and secured Champions League qualification, form that explains why Real Madrid have continued to push despite the higher price tag. He is now back involved in Martin Demichelis's pre-season plans ahead of Leipzig's opener, a DFB Cup tie at Eintracht Trier on 22 August, followed by a Bundesliga opener at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.
