Real Madrid agree verbal deal in principle for World Cup star as Jose Mourinho gets fifth new signing

Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement in principle pending final details with RB Leipzig to sign Yan Diomande.

The 15-time European champions have won the race for the Ivory Coast winger, who starred at this summer’s World Cup, talkSPORT understands.

Getty

The 19-year-old is set to become Real Madrid‘s fifth signing of the summer as they prepare for the new season under returning boss Jose Mourinho.

talkSPORT reported last month that Liverpool had pulled out of a move for Diomande as he favoured joining Paris Saint-Germain.

Instead, he’s heading back to Spain having begun his senior career with another Madrid-based club, Leganes.

Diomande joined RB Leipzig just 12 months ago after the Bundesliga side triggered his €20m (approximately £17m) release clause.

He’s since his stock continue to rise since then, catching the eye on the biggest stage of all to help Ivory Coast into the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time ever.

He scored 13 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for RB Leipzig last term, helping them finish third in the Bundesliga and secure Champions League qualification.

Diomande’s switch to the Bernabeu will bring him European football for the first time.

New era

Madrid lost out to arch-rivals Barcelona in the LaLiga title race but, as they have done every year since 1997, qualified for the Champions League.

Mourinho returned to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach last month, 13 years after the end of his first spell in charge of Los Blancos.

AFP

And the legendary Portuguese manager is set to have an increadingly star-studded squad at his disposal.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given Mourinho’s penchant for keeping things tight at the back, Real Madrid have bolstered their defensive ranks.

Spain World Cup winner Marc Cucurella and Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries have joined from Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively, with France’s Ibrahima Konate arriving on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have added a tried and trusted creative outlet in Bernardo Silva, another free signing following his departure from Manchester City.

However, Mourinho could suffer a big blow in the transfer market.

talkSPORT reported on Saturday how Arsenal were considering an approach for Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil superstar, who is out of contract at the Bernabeu next summer, has also been offered to Liverpool although the Reds opted not to pursue a deal for him.