Diomande heads to Madrid. Real did not need a saga

Yan Diomande has left the hotel where the RB Leipzig squad are staying. According to Philipp Hinze, the 19-year-old Ivorian is expected to land in Madrid today and undergo his medical ahead of a move to Real. His arrival at Leipzig’s training camp was not a sign of trouble after all. He was simply waiting for his flight.

Diomande was still following Leipzig’s programme yesterday while the clubs finalised the remaining details. Today, he left the hotel and headed for his medical. No public ultimatum, no need to convince the coach and no weeks of explaining who must make the next move. Real agreed the deal, so the player is travelling to Madrid. Unusual, but apparently effective.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are still waiting for Julián Álvarez to return to Atlético, speak with Simeone, convince the club’s hierarchy and create the conditions for actual negotiations to begin. Diomande could be presented in Madrid before Barça decide who should launch the next stage of their master plan. One club complete transfers. The other publish instructions explaining how one might happen.