Real Madrid have signed highly rated Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to €135 million, making the teenager the most expensive player in the club’s history.
Both clubs finalised the agreement on Thursday morning, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, with the 19-year-old already in the Spanish capital to undergo his medical ahead of an official announcement.
The European champions will pay an initial €125 million, with a further €10 million to €15 million in performance-related bonuses potentially taking the total to €135 million.
The transfer forms part of Real Madrid’s aggressive summer recruitment drive, under which spending on new signings has now exceeded €300 million. The club has also brought in Marc Cucurella for €55 million, Carlos Espai for €25 million and Denzel Dumfries for €20 million, while Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva arrived as free agents.
Player sales, particularly of academy graduates, have generated about €184.5 million and helped offset much of the outlay.
Diomande’s arrival is not expected to affect ongoing contract discussions with Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, whose current deal expires at the end of next season. Although Arsenal have reportedly shown strong interest in the forward, Marca said negotiations over a new contract remain under way.
The move places Diomande at the top of Real Madrid’s all-time transfer list, ahead of Jude Bellingham (€127 million in 2023), Eden Hazard (€121 million in 2019), Gareth Bale (€101 million in 2013) and Cristiano Ronaldo (€94 million in 2009).
