Real Madrid face agency dispute and €100m-plus demand for Yan Diomande

Real Madrid’s proposed signing of RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande has become significantly more complicated after the Spanish club discovered that Roc Nation is not the player’s only representative.

The development has reportedly angered the club’s hierarchy, which had been negotiating with Roc Nation over a move for the Ivorian. According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid believe important information about Diomande’s representation was not disclosed during the discussions.

Ivorian journalist Malick Traore reported that Diomande remains under contract with another agency, meaning Real Madrid may now have to negotiate with two representatives before any transfer can be completed.

“Real Madrid became angry with Diomande’s representatives at Roc Nation after discovering that the player is still linked to other agents,” Traore said.

The reported frustration is directed at Roc Nation rather than Diomande himself. Real Madrid is understood to be unhappy that the agency did not make the player’s separate agreement clear from the outset.

Diomande is still reportedly represented by Maxidel, which retains representation rights until the 19-year-old leaves RB Leipzig. As a result, Real Madrid will also need to reach an agreement with that agency, despite having been unaware of the arrangement until it came to light.

The Madrid club had, according to the report, reached an almost complete agreement with Roc Nation and the player over the personal terms of a potential transfer. Negotiations with RB Leipzig over the fee were believed to be the only significant stage remaining.

However, the appearance of Maxidel has created a fresh obstacle. Real Madrid must now find a way to resolve the agency issue as well as negotiate with RB Leipzig, a combination that could increase the overall cost of the deal and delay the process.

The German club is also expected to make a transfer difficult. RB Leipzig reportedly remains firm on its valuation of Diomande and is demanding more than €100m for the player. The club has no intention of reducing that figure for Real Madrid.

That financial demand means the Spanish side could face a substantial outlay before the additional agency complications are taken into account. The involvement of Maxidel may therefore increase both the complexity and expense of a deal that Real Madrid had believed was close to completion.

Diomande’s proposed move has consequently shifted from a near-agreed arrangement with the player and Roc Nation into a multi-party negotiation involving the forward, both agencies and RB Leipzig. The club must now settle the representation dispute while also attempting to reach an agreement with Leipzig over a fee exceeding €100m.