Real Madrid officially signs Dembélé

Real Madrid, the runner-up in the Spanish league, signed Ivorian winger Yvan Diomandé from German club RB Leipzig yesterday in a record deal for the club worth $161 million, plus add-ons. Real Madrid stated in a press release that an agreement had been reached with RB Leipzig regarding Diomandé, “who is linked to our club for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2033.” According to Spanish media, the deal was finalized for approximately €140 million ($161 million), including bonuses, making the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international the most expensive player in the history of the Spanish giant and the African continent, by a wide margin over his national team teammate Brian Mboyo (Manchester United). The young winger, capable of playing on both the right and left flanks, is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market, following his impressive performances with RB Leipzig and the Ivory Coast national team at the World Cup in North America. The Abidjan native is Real Madrid’s sixth signing since the start of the transfer window under their new Portuguese manager José Mourinho, after the acquisitions of Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva, Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella, French defender Ibrahima Konaté, Dutch full-back Denzel Dumfries, and Spanish striker Carlos Espí.