RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 5 sourcesAgreement or no agreement. That is the current question and situation of Yan Diomande’s relatively sudden transfer saga to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos entered the race for the Bundesliga star only 48 hours ago, and have already entered pole position in the negotiations. While some outlets deem the deal already complete , others refute the update and insist it is still some time away.
In any case, what is clear is that Real Madrid are pushing hard for the 19-year-old World Cup prodigy who racked up 12 goals and eight assists for his club in last season’s Bundesliga.
There are several schools of thought over the sudden pursuit of the Ivory Coast international. Some claim he is the replacement target after Real Madrid’s failed pursuit of Michael Olise while others claim he is Vinicius Jr.’s replacement at the club.
Whatever the deep intent, it is clear that Jose Mourinho values the 19-year-old star’s profile and sees a serious attacking boost with his arrival. Madrid Universal brings you three reasons Real Madrid are pushing for the teenage sensation.
A genuine right-wing option at last
Real Madrid have tried multiple options on the right-wing in recent years. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The asymmetry in Real Madrid’s attack in recent seasons has been conspicuous with most of the team’s attacking displays building up heavily on the left-flank. After all, both Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe prefer that half of the field.
Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono have all been tried on the right flank to provide balance, but none have succeeded and Diomande arrives as a direct solution for that void.
With the Ivory Coast international, Real Madrid can finally hope to have a fundamental solution to the right-wing which has plagued the squad for far too long. As a natural, elite winger who brings pace and trickery, he will be a handful for opposition defences.
Holding his width and authority on the flank, his explosive acceleration and one-on-one bravery make him a strong option to beat full-backs. He can cut inside onto his favoured foot or retain width and provide well-aimed crosses.
In any case, the addition will provide Real Madrid with a lethal attacking outlet on the right – one that can solve the fundamental asymmetry and make the team threatening from all sides.
The Vinicius factor
Is Diomande Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. replacement? (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
It is well known at this point that Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid are at a standoff on contract renewal talks and that matters have not taken a serious step forward in months.
Both parties refuse to compromise, leaving a situation where either the player must leave this summer or accept the salary Los Blancos are offering.
The priority for both the player and the club is to continue working together, but if the situation persists after Vinicius returns from his vacation, a departure is not impossible. After all, Arsenal are pushing hard to sign the player.
In case the Brazilian talisman leaves, Diomande may well have to take up the role Vinicius has played for Real Madrid over the years.
It will indeed be a gamble to leave the responsibility of filling the superstar’s shoes in the hands of a teenager, but Diomande is one of the few wingers in world football who has the talent to shoulder that responsibility.
Diomande predominantly plays on the right flank but is equally capable of playing on the left, giving Jose Mourinho tactical freedom to improvise his attack.
There is even the possibility that Mbappe moves to the left and Diomande to the right with a killer centre-forward to complement them.
By securing Diomande’s signing, Real Madrid are bringing to their ranks a player capable of operating across the front line and flourishing under pressure, making them as prepared as they can get for a potential Vinicius departure.
A more suited partner to Kylian Mbappe
Diomande could be the partner-in-crime Mbappe needs. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Michael Olise was a prime target for Real Madrid because of his synergy with Kylian Mbappe, and Real Madrid hope that Diomande can do the same playing on the right wing.
It is, however, more than just hope that Los Blancos carry. After all, the profile the RB Leipzig star brings to the table sets him up to be the perfect match.
Real Madrid’s French hero thrives on drifting into central half-spaces and running onto line-breaking passes, but the club currently lacks players who create game situations that are heavy on them.
Teammates who can draw defenders away like the potential new signing, who can introduce chaos in the box and reduce the central defensive overload can improve Mbappe’s output directly.
Diomande’s aggressive and high-speed runs in the final third threaten to do exactly that, and his ability to drag central defenders out wide can enable Mbappe to exploit the spaces in front of goal.
Further, the potential new signing also has exceptional final-third vision and can deliver low crosses, cutbacks and even through balls that few other players in the current squad can.
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