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Reason Yan Diomande snubbed Liverpool emerges after signing for Real Madrid Real Madrid have signed Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, with the 19-year-old midfielder snubbing Liverpool in the process – and the reason for his decision has now emerged Liverpool's period of transition under new boss Andoni Iraola may have played a part in Yan Diomande's decision to reject a switch to Merseyside. The 19 year old is understood to have held discussions with Iraola prior to reaching his conclusion - talks that came before his eventual move to Real Madrid. The Reds had pursued a transfer earlier in the window and remained strong contenders, but declined to satisfy RB Leipzig's €130m (£111m) asking price. Their £85m proposal was turned down, and the club chose not to submit an enhanced offer. Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain also registered their interest, with suggestions that Diomande had reached agreement on personal terms, though they likewise failed to meet Leipzig's valuation. Madrid had an £85.4m approach rebuffed as well, before finally securing a package worth up to €140m (£120m), reports the Liverpool Echo. Madrid's structure for Diomande comprises an initial €125m (£107m) fee, with a further €15m (£12.8m) available through performance-based add-ons, as the midfielder committed to a seven-year contract. He represents the sixth acquisition of Jose Mourinho's summer rebuild at the Bernabéu, joining Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi. Madrid hadn't initially been targeting a winger, though. It had been anticipated that Nico Paz would return via a buy-back clause following his successful spell at Como since leaving in 2024. This opened the door for Liverpool, who were regarded as Diomande's likeliest destination, with the prospect of replacing club legend Mohamed Salah thought to appeal to the Ivorian. Nevertheless, after conversations with Iraola, Diomande is understood to have perceived Liverpool were entering a period of transition, prompting him to consider other possibilities, according to The Athletic. He ultimately chose to work under José Mourinho and chase a third consecutive Champions League title, as Real's incoming manager prompted a change in transfer approach. "The final piece was Jose Mourinho," confirmed Nathan Campbell, Roc Nation's head of global football recruitment and Diomande's agent. "He spoke to him in fluent French, which was massive for him. "We didn't realise Mourinho spoke fluent French, because he hasn't been at a French club. But the time of day that he took the call with Yan and the fact that he spoke fluently in French with him - about his ideas, the project, and how he would fit into the team - showed that he valued that conversation. "That was a massive point. The key to convincing him." According to The Athletic, Diomande was shown a comprehensive career blueprint, outlining both individual and team development pathways — with specific references to the likes of Vinicius Junior and the trajectory of his rise at the Bernabeu.