Real Madrid transfer for Yan Diomande faces legal test over former agent’s claim

The proposed move of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid has been thrown into uncertainty by a legal dispute involving the Ivory Coast international’s former representative.

Real Madrid and RB Leipzig had reportedly reached an agreement for the transfer, which had been described as virtually complete. However, the deal is now being disrupted by a contractual disagreement between Diomande and Max-Alain Gradel, the player’s former agent.

Gradel maintains that his agreement with Diomande was ended irregularly after the player’s representation came under the management of Roc Nation. Real Madrid is understood to have negotiated exclusively with the new agency and was allegedly unaware of the dispute between the player and his former representative.

The former agent has now reportedly referred the matter to the relevant authorities, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A complaint is also said to have been submitted to FIFA.

According to information from Jorge Picon, the dispute centres mainly on Diomande’s image rights. Those rights are considered a key part of the contractual disagreement and could have a direct impact on whether the proposed transfer can be completed.

FIFA will now have to decide whether a provisional licence can be granted to allow the move to proceed while the legal case is considered. Alternatively, the transfer could be suspended or even cancelled, depending on the outcome of the proceedings.

Until a decision is reached, the clubs, agencies and representatives involved remain uncertain about the next step. Diomande is still under contract with RB Leipzig until June 2030, meaning his immediate future depends on the resolution of the legal dispute rather than solely on the agreement reported between the two clubs.

The 19-year-old, who was born in Abidjan, is valued at 90m euros by Transfermarkt. He currently earns an annual salary of 750,000 euros, equivalent to 487,500,000 FCFA, in Germany.

The proposed transfer had appeared close to completion, but the claim from Gradel has introduced a significant obstacle. Until FIFA clarifies Diomande’s registration position and the status of the representation agreement, Real Madrid cannot be certain that the deal will be formally finalised.