Mourinho intervention turns Diomande’s PSG switch into Real Madrid transfer battle

Yan Diomande’s expected move to Paris Saint-Germain has been thrown into doubt after Real Madrid stepped up their interest and Jose Mourinho personally called the RB Leipzig winger to convince him to head to Spain.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international had reached a verbal agreement over a five-year contract with PSG, but Real Madrid have now submitted an official offer worth €115m to Leipzig, placing serious pressure on the French champions’ pursuit.

Leipzig are holding out for €120m and, according to the same source, PSG are reluctant to meet that valuation, creating an opening that Real Madrid have moved quickly to exploit.

Mourinho’s direct pitch

According to Ivoirezine, Mourinho has spoken directly by telephone with Diomande, conveying his admiration for the teenager and making clear his wish to work with him at Real Madrid.

The report says this intervention from the Portuguese coach has unsettled Diomande, who had already given PSG his word but is now re-examining his options in light of Madrid’s concrete interest.

While the Spanish club’s €115m bid is being studied by Leipzig’s hierarchy, Diomande finds himself at the centre of one of the summer’s most high-profile transfer tussles.

Player waiting in Paris

Diomande has travelled to Paris in recent hours and is waiting for clarity as negotiations continue, aware that the final decision is likely to rest on whether Leipzig accept Real Madrid’s bid or whether PSG choose to improve their position.

The forward, under contract with RB Leipzig until 30 June 2030, is currently valued at €90m by Transfermarkt, significantly below the German club’s asking price but still reflecting his rapid rise in the Bundesliga.

In Germany, Diomande earns €750,000 per year (487,500,000 FCFA), a salary that would be expected to rise sharply were he to secure a move to either PSG or Real Madrid.

For now, Leipzig are weighing up Madrid’s proposal, PSG are considering how far they are prepared to go financially, and Diomande is left to ponder a career-defining choice between the French champions and the 15-time European Cup winners.