Leipzig Official Mocks Fabrizio Romano Over Jean Diomande Transfer Rumors: "We Are Not There Yet"

Reports suggesting that Real Madrid was on the verge of finalizing negotiations for 19-year-old Ivorian winger Jean Diomande, currently playing for RB Leipzig, have circulated for over a week. The player, who participated in the 2026 World Cup, even missed his club's first friendly match last weekend, fueling speculation of an imminent move to Spain. However, more than a week later, the transfer has yet to materialize.

The delay appears to stem from a dispute between Diomande's current agents, Roc Nation, and his former agent, Max Gradel of Maxidel Management. Gradel has reportedly filed a complaint with FIFA over a breach of contract. FIFA is now tasked with resolving this matter, which could further postpone the player's authorization to leave Leipzig for Real Madrid.

In the meantime, Marcel Schäfer, the sporting director of RB Leipzig, has taken a lighthearted jab at "so-called transfer experts" who had prematurely declared the deal as done. Speaking to Sky Germany, Schäfer remarked, "It's clear that some so-called transfer experts announced a few days ago that the deal was done or launched the 'here we go.' That is simply not the case. We are not there yet." This statement is a clear reference to the well-known Twitter personality Fabrizio Romano and his characteristic "here we go" pronouncements.

Romano was among the first to report that an agreement between Real Madrid and Leipzig had been reached, even citing a fee of €132 million for the player. While Schäfer did not deny that negotiations have taken place, he expressed his belief that the agent dispute would not necessarily derail the transfer. However, he reiterated that "we are not there yet," and the unresolved conflict between the two agencies is currently preventing the agreement from being concluded. Meanwhile, Diomande himself is notably absent from Leipzig's training sessions.