RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesPSG president personally intervenes to sign Real Madrid target as revenge for Yan Diomande deal
Real Madrid moved quickly to reach an agreement with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig to sign talented Ivory Coast attacker Yan Diomande this summer.
PSG had seemed like the frontrunners to secure the young winger since the beginning of the summer transfer window, but Los Blancos hijacked it at the eleventh hour.
The French giants have not taken kindly to how Madrid pulled off the deal, putting out a statement highlighting why they did not go forward and sign Diomande.
It is clear that PSG have not taken kindly to the Spanish club’s behaviour. Now, according to AS , the French club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is seeking revenge.
He has personally intervened to try to enter the negotiations to sign Rodri, who is considered to be a priority target for Real Madrid.
Diomande setback sparks PSG reaction
PSG believed they were in a strong position to sign Diomande before Real Madrid entered the race.
PSG want Rodri now. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s intervention convinced the young Ivory Coast international to prioritise a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, prompting PSG to abandon the deal.
That disappointment is said to have led Al-Khelaifi to look for a response, identifying Rodri as a player Madrid have long admired.
Despite PSG’s approach, the report adds that Rodri’s priority remains a return to La Liga if he leaves Manchester City.
As for Real Madrid, they continue to eye a potential move for the Spaniard, with latest reports suggesting that an offer could be in the works as Florentino Perez has finally given the green light .
Real Madrid should not be distracted
Real Madrid are working on a deal for Rodri. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Whether PSG’s reported interest was motivated by revenge or genuine sporting ambition ultimately changes very little for Real Madrid.
If Rodri wants to join Real Madrid, the club’s biggest obstacles will be Manchester City’s stance and the financial demands of any deal, not competition from another European giant.
Real Madrid and PSG have had no love lost between them in recent seasons, and this Diomande saga is the latest in a long list of such transfer battles.
It remains to be seen whether the same happens again with Rodri or whether the player stays firm on his desire to play for Los Blancos next season.
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