Fabrizio Romano said, "Here we go!" (It's done!), while Florian Plettenberg said, "There's no agreement yet."
On July 27th, Fabrizio Romano posted a status update confirming that RB Leipzig's Ivorian winger Yan Diomande had reached an agreement to join Real Madrid , following a proposal from manager Mourinho, for a fee of over 100 million euros.
"This is official and everything is done! (following the familiar slogan "Here we go!"). Yan Diomande will fly to Madrid this week for a medical examination and to sign a contract until June 2031," Fabrizio Romano wrote on his X social media account, also updating his other accounts such as Instagram.
The transfer of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid on July 27th sparked a heated online argument between the two journalists who reported on it.
Photo: Reuters
However, at the same time, Sky (Germany) journalist Florian Plettenberg, also a transfer news expert, refuted this and stated: "A quick note on the Yan Diomande transfer, because more and more things in this area are becoming a bit ridiculous: If there was a final agreement between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid, then the exact transfer fee could be announced, right? The reality is: there is still no agreement."
"This has been further confirmed by RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, and the player's side. If a €100 million offer was rejected, then obviously the final fee will be higher than €100 million, right? Real Madrid are expected to finalize the deal tomorrow (July 28) or at the latest next week."
"Diomande wants to join Real Madrid and has a verbal agreement until 2031. Negotiations between the two clubs will continue tomorrow. Diomande is also expected to return to Leipzig tomorrow (July 28)," Florian Plettenberg added.
Florian Plettenberg later clarified this in Fabrizio Romano's social media posts, claiming that the world's leading transfer news journalist had published more fake news than accurate information. He also accused Fabrizio Romano of publishing information such as Klopp's signing with the German national team, which he claimed was not exclusive…
Real Madrid have acquired Yan Diomande.
This incident subsequently sparked an unusual online argument between two journalists specializing in transfer news on social media platform X.
Fabrizio Romano then responded, claiming that Florian Plettenberg's report that Man City wanted Yan Diomande for €100 million was false, as Man City were not involved in the deal. Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Don't worry, Yan Diomande will eventually go to Real Madrid, just like Klopp signed with the German national team."
With Mourinho's return, Real Madrid have strengthened their squad with five quality signings.
Photo: Reuters
Fabrizio Romano further responded to Florian Plettenberg: "Perhaps I should now repost the messages you sent me asking 'how to increase my account followers' or 'how your work inspires me'. Now you've started teaching me how to do my job."
According to the Spanish newspaper MARCA : "In fact, Fabrizio Romano's 'Here we go!' was completely accurate and the earliest regarding Real Madrid's signing of Yan Diomande. PSG , not Man City, was the club that initially pursued Yan Diomande, but later announced their withdrawal, feeling betrayed "by some intermediaries."
"PSG pursued Yan Diomande until the last minute, but after Real Madrid increased their offer to 'over 100 million euros,' the Parisian club gave up, despite having previously reached a verbal agreement 'within the range of 100 million euros'," MARCA revealed.
After acquiring Yan Diomande (whose unveiling and contract signing are just around the corner), Real Madrid are likely to abandon their pursuit of Bayern Munich 's Michael Olise, according to MARCA , adding: "But they will focus all their efforts on their remaining target, midfielderRodri from Man City, the player who will win the Golden Ball at the 2026 World Cup."
Spanish media have confirmed that Rodri and Real Madrid have reached a personal agreement, with only the two clubs remaining to negotiate the transfer fee.
To date, since Mourinho's return as manager, Real Madrid has strengthened its squad with five quality signings: Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Yan Diomande, Ibrahima Konate, and Bernardo Silva, with only Rodri remaining to be added.