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RB Leipzig's managing director Marcel Schäfer has taken aim at "so-called transfer experts," firmly stating that no transfer agreement with Real Madrid for Yan Diomande has been finalized, contrary to widespread reports.
Diomande is widely anticipated to join Madrid this summer in a deal that could make him both the most expensive signing in the club's history and the priciest African player ever transferred.
Following an impressive debut season with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, the 19-year-old caught the eye of Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who earmarked him as the club's headline summer acquisition. Personal terms were believed to have been agreed with the player, who had also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, while negotiations between Madrid and Leipzig were set in motion.
However, despite Fabrizio Romano reporting on July 26 that the transfer was nearly complete—issuing his trademark "here we go" phrase to signal a done deal—more than a week later, the move has still not been confirmed.
In an interview with Sky Sports Germany, Schäfer appeared to indirectly take a swipe at Romano for prematurely declaring the transfer complete.
"It's obvious that certain so-called transfer experts reported a few days ago that the deal was done or gave it the 'here we go.' That simply isn't the case. We haven't reached that point yet," Schäfer stated firmly.
Agency Battle Not an Issue, Says Schäfer
There have been suggestions that Diomande's transfer has been complicated by an ongoing dispute between two agencies both claiming to represent the player—Maxidel Management and Roc Nation Sports.
Maxidel Management handled Diomande's move to Leipzig from Leganés last summer and secured a new representation contract with the player at the start of 2026. Shortly afterward, however, Roc Nation Sports—Jay-Z's agency, which counts Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Endrick among its clients—publicly welcomed Diomande to the "family" via social media.
Spanish reports indicate that Real Madrid conducted transfer negotiations with Roc Nation Sports, while Maxidel Management has since lodged a complaint with FIFA "alleging a breach of contract."
Nevertheless, Schäfer has dismissed the notion that this dispute is holding up a deal.
He was quoted as saying: "From where I stand, it's a clear 'no.' I'm not aware of that being an issue. There has been an agent change. Our contact is now Roc Nation—Yan made that very clear to us. I don't believe a transfer would collapse because of that, if a transfer even happens at all."
What Next for Real Madrid?
Schäfer's comments make it evident that the two clubs have yet to reach a transfer agreement for Diomande, with the fee appearing to be the main stumbling block.
It was reported last week by The Athletic that Diomande did not join the rest of the RB Leipzig squad on their preseason training camp in Austria, as transfer talks remain ongoing.
Madrid are said to have submitted an offer worth $138 million (€120 million), including a fixed fee of $115 million. Leipzig, however, are holding firm and pushing for a figure closer to their original $150 million asking price.
Diomande would become Real Madrid's fifth first-team addition of a hectic summer, joining Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, and Carlos Espí. The club are also reportedly pursuing Manchester City's Rodri, and an additional center-back signing before the window shuts on September 1 has not been ruled out.